In today’s unstable world, a fundamentally important condition for the life of mankind is the ability of people to cooperate, to understand each other, to compromise in interethnic relations, and to solve problems together.

Studies of the late XX – early XXI centuries showed that the main differences between people were mainly not political, ideological or economic, but cultural mismatches and, accordingly, the most typical conflicts based on cultural differences.

Living together within the framework of one state, community of cultural values, centuries-old traditions, spiritual, social, human ties, life difficulties – all this serves to form international, intercultural cooperation, friendship of peoples.

Consent and mutual understanding, orientation towards the integrity and unity of the multinational Republic of Uzbekistan are the most important condition for qualitative development of all the people living in it.

From time immemorial, multilingual speech has been heard on Uzbek land, shrines of all world faiths have acted, multinational traditions and customs have coexisted peacefully and developed. A powerful impulse to their heyday was given by the characteristic of the Uzbek people tolerance, hospitality, kindness, respect for other cultures and religions.

Multinational society and intercultural dialogue in Uzbekistan are based on two principles: respect and trust and are a natural result of a holistic national policy of the country’s leadership.

The guarantee of wide and free participation of representatives of all national diasporas in the state, economic, social and cultural life of the country is the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, where it is determined that people of Uzbekistan are all its citizens, regardless of their nationality. They have the same rights and freedoms and are equal before the law without distinction of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin and social status.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid attention to issues of nation consolidation in his Address to the Oliy Majlis on January 24, 2020, noting that “We will consistently continue work to strengthen the atmosphere of interethnic harmony and religious tolerance in society”. The theme of harmonization of interethnic relations and intercultural dialogue in our country has become an integral part of the political agenda, as well as legal regulation and law enforcement practice.

A large contribution to development of Uzbekistan is made by numerous national cultural centers – public structures (non-state, non-profit) representing various diasporas. One of such public associations is the Russian Cultural Center of Uzbekistan.

The Russian Cultural Center of Uzbekistan realizes its main goals and objectives in preserving and developing the Russian national culture, traditions, customs, language, promoting the harmonious development of the individual, strengthening interethnic harmony, peace and stability in the country, educating the younger generation in the spirit of internationalism, patriotism, tolerance, spiritual and moral foundations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Activities of the Russian Cultural Center of Uzbekistan, which has branches in all regions of the country, covers social protection, support for single and elderly people, cultural and educational events, scientific conferences, master classes and trainings on innovative technologies for teaching the Russian language and literature, volunteering in homes of people with disabilities and elderly, in orphanages, preservation of cultural heritage of the country.

Independence, maintaining peace and tranquility, political, economic and social stability of society, interethnic harmony – such significant words take on a special meaning, being the essence of our thoughts. And the concepts of kindness and mercy, respect for the older generation, diligence, hospitality have become an integral part of the worldview of our multinational people.

Spiritual unity brings together the differences and dissimilarities of ethnic mentalities. Unity is the guarantee that no one can turn us off our chosen path, brake peace and tranquility in our common home – the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Yelena Babenko,

Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis,

Member of the faction of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan