«Culture is an Opportunity to Feel the Breath of Another People»: Experts of WPA Presented Practices of Public Diplomacy
The word "culture" was heard at almost all venues of the First World Public Assembly "New World of Conscious Unity". After all, it is based on: on the one hand, everyone's identity, cultural differences, on the other hand, unlimited opportunities for forming relationships with others, building cooperation. At the panel session "Culture as the Basis of Trust on the Path to a Harmonious World" experts discussed the current challenges facing culture as a "territory of trust" and how to counter them.
02.10.2025
Opening the discussion, the Moderator of the meeting, State Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly Alena Dolgopolova, noted:
"We live in a difficult time when culture often becomes hostage to ideological confrontations. But it is culture that remains the soft power that leads to peace and harmony. The scale of our forum confirms this: more than 4,000 participants from 150 countries gathered in Moscow today to look together for ways to mutual understanding."
These words set the tone for the discussion. The participants from different countries spoke about culture as a living language of trust that can bring people together even where diplomacy faces barriers.
Juan Miguel Diaz Ferrer, a professor from Venezuela, recalled the importance of preserving historical memory:
Juan Miguel Diaz Ferrer, a professor from Venezuela, recalled the importance of preserving historical memory:
"When we tell young people the truth about the Second World War, we preserve not only the past, but also the future. A nation that honors its heroes respects other people's heroes, too. This is the culture of trust."
This idea was continued by the Italian diplomat and Honorary Consul Roberto D'Agostino. He called culture "the diplomacy of the human heart" and added:
"Mutual cultural exchanges are not just concerts or exhibitions. This is an opportunity to feel the breath of another nation, to share its pain and joy. Politics divides, but culture unites."
The conversation moved smoothly from the values of history to modern examples of cultural branding. British expert David Henderson-Stewart linked the topic of trust with the history of the Raketa brand:
"When people learn about the history of a brand that was born in Soviet times and continues to develop today, they realize that it is part of a larger culture. Values and stories become bridges, and then business ceases to be just a business — it turns into a cultural message."
French participant Hélène Perroux, writer, Director of the French Cultural Institute, former adviser to French President Jacques Chirac, recalled that culture was the basis for reconciliation between France and Germany:
"Our countries have stood against each other for decades. But culture has become the ground on which trust has grown. Today, it is culture that can be the first to reach out, even where politicians are still silent."
Given the diversity of cultural models, how can we move from differences to synergy and mitigation of counterflow through mutual enrichment? Continuing the theme of harmony, Debing Liu, a representative of China and Director of the Advisory Board of the Center for International Business Ethics (CIBE) at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), spoke about the philosophy of diversity and the Belt and Road initiative:
"This is not only economics, but also culture. It is an opportunity to exchange art, languages, and customs. Harmony begins with trust, and trust is born through culture."
Samir Jamai, a Moroccan expert, professor of art education, and Vice President of the Moroccan Peace Association, a Moroccan expert, professor of art education, and Vice President of the Moroccan Peace Association, developed the topic of bridges of understanding:
"Fashion, music, and painting speak a language that everyone understands. When a Moroccan put on a Russian ornament and a Russian listen to African drums, there are no barriers between them. Culture is a bridge, and it is stronger than politics."
Anastasia Pavlova, a Russian participant, a public figure, writer, playwright, and author of the Geniuses of the World project, emphasized the universality of the language of friendship:
"A person who knows the way of culture is irreplaceable and invincible. Our project "Geniuses of the World" shows that art is a message that can be heard by hearts anywhere in the world."
A special impression was made by the performance of opera singer, People's Artist of Kazakhstan and Tatarstan Nurzhamal Usenbayeva:
"Sometimes one song can do more for trust than years of negotiations. The music does not require translation. It opens hearts and creates trust where words are powerless."
Summing up the discussion, the moderator emphasized:
"Our forum has become a space where the word "culture" has been mentioned hundreds of times — and always in conjunction with the word "trust." We have shown the world that we have a common language that transcends political differences. It is the language of art, beauty, memory and friendship."
The panel session "Culture as the Basis of Trust on the Path to a Harmonious World" became an important event of the First World Public Assembly and showed that culture is not only a heritage, but also a living force capable of opening hearts and building trust where other paths are closed.
The experts summarized the experience of building trust through culture in local communities, which can and should be scaled internationally.
The experts summarized the experience of building trust through culture in local communities, which can and should be scaled internationally.
