Plenary session # 1

THE FUTURE AND THE IDENTITY OF CIVILISATIONS

Primary topics of discussion: 

- A system of ideals and values for existence and constant improvement of mankind as a basis for projecting and constructing the future

- Each civilisation as an appeal to the future

- Bases and principles for mapping scenarios of future development

- The main methods for constructively resolving world problems

Key speakers: 

Vladimir Yakunin – Founding President, World Public Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations” (Russia) - text version
Yannis Makhiridis – the Governor of the Southern Aegean Islands (Greece)
Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar – Professor, Deputy Minister of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Secretary General of the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue
Ashis Nandy – Senior Honorary Fellow, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies; Chairperson, Committee for Cultural Choices and Global Futures (India)
Alfred Gusenbauer – Federal Chancellor of Austria (2007-2008), Сo-chairman, World Public Forum "Dialogue of Civilizations" (Austria)
Vladimir – Metropolitan of Omsk and Tars (Russia) – Complimentary address of Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Kat?rina Stenou – Director of the Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Michael Tay – Ambassador, Executive Director, Russia-Singapore Business Forum, Adjunct Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (Singapore) – Develop Advantages for Dialogues of Civilizations
Li Xikui – Vice Secretary General of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (China)
Oleg Y. Atkov – General Secretary, World Public Forum “Dialogue of Civilizations” (Russia)
Mikhail Bogdanov – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Russia) – Complimentary address of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov