The Humanitarian Dimension of Eurasian Cooperation: Outcomes of the Session at the II Eurasian Financial and Economic Forum
On April 20, 2026, a session titled "Humanitarian Bridges of Eurasia: Cooperation Beyond Industry" was held at the Eurasian Center for Cultural and Artistic Exchange as part of the official business program of the II Eurasian Financial and Economic Forum. The session was moderated by Lai Chun, Executive Secretary of the Chongqing Sino-Russian Association for the Promotion of Economic and Cultural Cooperation, and Anna Bezdudnaya, CEO of FBA EAC, Editor-in-Chief of the FBA EAC Herald, and Professor with a Doctorate in Economics.
The session focused on the factors that contribute to the establishment and maintenance of long-term trust between nations, including cultural exchange, educational initiatives, preservation of historical heritage, and public diplomacy. Discussions centered on projects in the creative industries, educational programs, the role of design and media in fostering a common cultural space, and practical mechanisms for facilitating youth and scientific exchanges.
Alexey Gromyko, Director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, delivered a welcoming address. In his speech, he explored the concept of spirituality and the notion of a "spiritual core," emphasizing the importance of a polycentric world as a platform for a spiritual and cultural symphony.
Speakers included Huang Dongmei, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges and Director of the International Institute of Yangtze University of Education; Zhou Jing, Deputy Director of Han Tianheng Shanghai Art Exchange Center; Natalia Baskakova, Rector of the Chuvash State Institute of Culture and Arts; and Liu Jie, Deputy Director of the Kunqu Opera House (Hunan Province), Chairman of the Trade Union, and Actor of the First Class.
Sergey Kalendzhyan, Dean of the Higher School of Corporate Management at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and Doctor of Economics, presented on the collaboration between Russian and Chinese universities in the field of business education.
Zhao Mengda, Chairman of the Industrial Investment Committee of the Chinese Association for the Promotion of Creative Industries and General Director of the Ling Cheng Group of Companies, shared insights on the development of creative industries. Ekaterina Zhukovskaya, Head of International Cooperation at ANO Energy of Development of Rosatom State Corporation, discussed the practices of social development in cities with nuclear industry operations and international humanitarian cooperation programs. Additionally, Yin Jie, CEO of Shuiqu Xiangban Qingliu Cultural and Tourism Company; Guan Yuechen, Chairman of the Board of Lumify Art Foundation; and Zhu Feng, Head of the Center for Popularization of Science, Research, and Continuing Education at the East China UAV Base, presented their projects in the field of cultural and educational tourism.
Diana Mashtakeeva, CEO of the Financial Market Professional Qualifications Council, addressed the convergence and mutual recognition of professional qualifications and educational requirements. Anastasia Rusakova, CEO of the National Association of Internal Auditors and Controllers, outlined a roadmap for the formation of a unified personnel reserve through the "trade unions — universities — business" ecosystem.
The session concluded with a presentation by Andrey Ostrovsky, Chief Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Contemporary China at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Doctor of Economics, on the role of culture and education in international cooperation.
Following the session, participants emphasized the necessity of systematic work in the field of humanitarian cooperation, encompassing student exchanges and the recognition of professional qualifications. These recommendations will be incorporated into the final package of initiatives for the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Investment Cooperation.