The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) at UWED hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic "Cultural and civilizational potential of Uzbekistan as a diplomatic resource" on June 23 of this year. Participants included different representatives from the fields of science and the arts, IAIS researchers and professionals, the Diplomatic Academy at the UWED, department and faculty leaders, doctorate students, graduate students, and members of the university academic community.
The Director of IAIS, Professor Sh.Abdullayev, made note in his introductory remarks that Uzbekistan's President, Sh.Mirziyoyev, places a high priority on the widespread diffusion of Uzbekistan's cultural, scientific, and spiritual legacy in the worldwide context. The president reiterates: "Only the Uzbek diplomat who knows the ancient history, rich culture, and national values of our people well and loves his Homeland with all his heart can glorify Uzbekistan all over the world."
In this context, Sh.Abdullayev pointed out the importance of the chosen topic of the round table and noted that these issues are of fundamental importance for the foreign policy practice of Uzbekistan. The subject of cultural and civilizational resources will always be the focus of the scientific activity of the Institute.
K.Safayeva, the moderator of the round table debate and IAIS prominent researcher, remarked that currently there are collisions of numerous, often radically opposing views and methods in geopolitics, economics, ideology, and spiritual values. We are witnessing a trend in which global politics began to align along new - cultural - lines. UWED, as the country's primary academic institution for educating diplomatic professionals, is interested in establishing a platform for collaboration in the study of Uzbekistan's and the region's history, culture, and art. The University and the expert community of the country should develop common approaches and methodology in the training of diplomats on issues related to the "cultural code" of Uzbekistan and ways to promote it at the international level.
The main speakers of the round table in their speeches touched upon the following issues: heritage – as a factor of "soft power" of Uzbekistan; the ancient history of Uzbekistan – as a factor in the formation of political relations in modern conditions; culture and cultural heritage through the prism of identifying problems and trends.
According to Dr.Ganieva, a renowned journalist and publicist, "soft power" refers to a state's capacity to create and maintain its favorable external perception as well as its allure in the political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian domains. The basic goal of "soft power" is to proclaim one's own national identity and to persuade other players in international affairs to act in the interests of one's own country. Despite the fact that the concept of "soft power" appeared only in the 90s of the last century, cultural and civilizational values have been used by states since ancient times to strengthen international relations. The ancient states that existed on the territory of modern Uzbekistan widely used their cultural and civilizational potential to expand ties with neighboring countries.
Dr.Mkrtychev, archaeologist art historian, and director of the Savitsky Museum in Nukus stressed that the history of Uzbekistan is "very complex and multi-layered." At the same time, it is not stated systematically and multilaterally in any textbook. Knowledge of the history of their country is very important for diplomats. The speakers were given examples from the ancient history of Uzbekistan and Central Asia, where knowledge and skillful use of culture contributed to the establishment of political and trade ties.
Dr.Dzhumaev, a well-known scholar and arts critic noted that it is impossible to consider and explain culture exclusively within the framework of the national paradigm. The culture of Uzbekistan is part of the world's cultural heritage. It can be understood and explained only in the context of the general state of culture in the world space. Currently, Uzbekistan is witnessing the formation or formation of a bipolar culture model in its content, which is gradually replacing the unipolar – mainly secular. In the current cultural space of the country, secular and Islamic-religious components are represented to varying degrees. This trend is gradually gaining strength, especially in terms of increasing attention to the Islamic cultural heritage and its reinterpretation by new artistic means. Obviously, there cannot be one single and uniform concept of culture, there are different points of view and understanding. However, according to the expert, a new concept is needed in which the most important periods in the development of culture on the territory of Uzbekistan – in historical Turkestan - would be reconsidered in a proper way. It should take into account all the components of the various cultures of the peoples of Central Asia, both in the form of artistic heritage and in the form of existing traditions.
During the event, leading scholars in the field of socio-political research shared their views. Among them were such experts as Professor Sh.Tajiyev, the Head of the Center for Systemic Studies at the Higher School of Strategic Analysis, Professor A.Seitov, Head of the Laboratory of Anthropology and Conflict Studies at IIPS, R.Makhmudov Leading Research Fellow at IIPS, S.Pulatova, Chief Researcher at the Center for Modern History of Uzbek Academy of Sciences, B.Salakhitdinov, Dean of the Executive Education Faculty, Professor A.Haidarov, Director of the Diplomatic Academy at UWED, Dr.D.Amanov, First Vice-Rector of UWED.
The following ideas and proposals were outlined during the discussions:
1. Cultural and civilizational dialogue is an effective method of preventing and resolving contradictions in international relations. At the regional level, Uzbekistan can and should play a leading role in strengthening stability and preserving the cultural and civilizational identity of the peoples of Central Asia.
2. Uzbekistan has a historically determined unique potential for implementing its own "soft power" concept, formed from the first years of the country's independent development. Uzbekistan has practically all objective and subjective initial resources, mechanisms, and tools for the effective promotion of a positive image, influencing the formation of the international agenda and defending its national interests in the foreign arena using its own "soft power". The attractive cultural and civilizational force of the world level determines the "national character" and "national morality" of the multinational and multi-confessional people of Uzbekistan. Moreover, peaceful social coexistence within our country has a direct projection on the regional and international space around Uzbekistan, playing a key role in maintaining stability and security.
3. Pointing to the cultural and civilizational potential of Uzbekistan and the need to use it as a diplomatic resource, it is necessary, first of all, to answer two questions: what was the phenomenon of "Uzbek culture"? and "How Uzbek culture was related to the concept of "civilization"? At the same time, the second issue has been connected to both domestic and foreign cultural policy. Uzbek culture cannot be attributed exclusively to Islamic civilization, because this limits its potential. Moreover, such an approach may lead to an increase in the trend towards traditionalization and "Arabization" in society. In reality, Uzbek culture is a more complex and multi-layered phenomenon that has absorbed various cultures and traditions.
4. When determining the place of Uzbek culture in world processes, it is important to pay attention to the phenomena of "universalism" and "locality". Universalism presupposes entry into global cultural trends that are formed by post-industrial societies. Postmodernism and multiculturalism can serve as the leading forms of universalism. In turn, locality implies following the logic of the "decolonial turn", trying to restore the uniqueness of local cultures by overcoming the phenomenon of "coloniality".
5. Special attention should be paid to Zoroastrianism, which has left a large cultural footprint on the territory of Uzbekistan. 38 of the 63 monuments of Zoroastrianism remaining in the world are located in our country. An important factor of our cultural heritage is the history and culture of the Great Turkic Khaganate – one of the largest state entities in the world in the pre-Islamic period. The territory of the Turkic Khaganate conditionally divided the world into three large parts – West, East, and South and carried out a civilizational mission to find common ground between the major powers of that era.
6. Taking into account the relevance of the topic of the round table, it seems appropriate to develop and implement a pilot training course on the basis of the UWED on the history culture, and art of Central Asia.
In general, according to the unanimous opinion of the participants of the round table, the cultural and civilizational potential of Uzbekistan should be studied comprehensively with the involvement of a wide range of experts and the development of recommendations for a competent and systematic presentation of the country in the foreign policy arena.
Institute for Advanced International Studies,
University of World Economy and Diplomacy
