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A two-day discussion-based seminar “Multicultural Dialogue in Mono-ethnic and Multiethnic Educational Environment (by the example of Armenia and Russia)” kicked off at the Pedagogical University on September 18.
The seminar is organized by the ASPU Department of Theory and History of Pedagogy and "Research Centre for Upbringing Problems, Healthy Way of Life Formation, Drug Addiction Preventing and Children and Youth Social and Pedagogical Support” of the Russian Federal State Budget Scientific Institution.
“It seems that no problem might arise with multicultural dialogue in mono-ethnic Armenia but the issue is of paramount importance in the context of cross-cultural interaction. We have centuries-old Diaspora that needs to preserve its identity and image,” Srbuhi Gevorgyan, ASPU Vice-Rector for Educational and Scientific Affairs, said in her welcoming remarks. She stressed that the Pedagogical University is doing everything to involve young people from Diaspora communities in the educational process, at the same time providing relatively optimal conditions for their education.
Srbuhi Gevorgyan underlined that the ongoing migration changes lead to cultural unity, which, in turn, results in the elimination of cultural frontiers.
The participants of the seminar were also welcomed by Irina Kasatskaya, Head of the Cultural and Social Programs Department of the Armenian Office of Rossotrudnichestvo Company, who stressed that [in its activities] Rossotrudnichestvo attaches importance to all programmes aimed at strengthening Armenian-Russian relations in cultural, scientific and other sectors.
She hailed the activity of the Pedagogical University in providing the necessary conditions for initiating a constructive dialogue between Armenian and Russian specialists. “The problem of multicultural dialogue interests today’s society,” she said stressing the need for a common mechanism, given the fact that many young Armenians living in Russia eventually return to their homeland.
In her report, Natalia Sinyagin, Director of the “Research Centre for Upbringing Problems, Healthy Way of Life Formation, Drug Addiction Preventing and Children and Youth Social and Pedagogical Support”, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, referred to interethnic relationships, underlining that human factor plays a significant role in the implementation of multicultural education conditioned by the need to prepare special teachers.
Her speech was followed by reports delivered by the seminar participants.
The attendees also met ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan. Natalia Sinyagin thanked Mr Mrzakhanyan for hosting the seminar and handed him a Letter of Appreciation and professional books. She noted that the Pedagogical University and its teaching staff are important to Russia; throughout the world such ties strengthen peace, contribute to cooperation and overcoming of intercultural conflicts.
The guests also expressed their admiration for the University’s history and its possibilities, including the virtual museum with the ‘welcoming’ image of Great Illuminator Khachatur Abovyan. During the meeting, Ruben Mirzakhanyan referred to the achievements of the 90-year-old university, stressing that by the number of students this pedagogical smithy is only second to Yerevan State University.
The Rector also assured his guests that the University keeps abreast with innovative processes and changes in the education sector, at the same time deepening cooperation with universities of other countries, including those of Russia.
Speaking about the knowledge of the Russian language and its teaching at the ASPU, Ruben Mirzakhanyan said at first sight it seems that the new generation shows less interest in Russia, but the fourfold increase in foreign language lessons smoothed away the fear.
The Rector added that this year for the first time the Pedagogical University in cooperation with foreign partners implemented the Summer School international programme.
During the meeting, the interlocutors reached a tentative agreement to continue cooperation.
