Soft power in the hands of young diplomats

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Soft power in the hands of young diplomats

On the eve of the nationwide Navruz holiday, a media event titled "The Civilization potential of Uzbekistan as a mechanism of soft power" was held in Tashkent.

The event was organized by the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED).

At the event, an exhibition of book albums from the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in World Collections" and "Architectural Epigraphy of Uzbekistan" was organized. Guests were shown a video about the activities of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, its youth clubs, as well as documentary films dedicated to the activities of WOSCU.

Soft power in the hands of young diplomats

"Our goal is to unite two forces - diplomacy and culture. WOSCU has conducted extensive research work, and this knowledge can bring practical benefits to the activities of future diplomats. We plan practical cooperation in the field of cinematography as well. Uzbek cinema has a rich heritage, and one of our goals is to promote soft power and have the opportunity to tell foreign countries about the enlightened intellectuals of the Jadids through cinema. In collaboration with the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency and the film fund, we will organize an international film club and invite diplomats working in Uzbekistan, showing Uzbek cinema abroad," said the rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sodyq Safoev.

The WOSCU held its now traditional ceremony of awarding certificates for the complimentary distribution of book-albums to the embassies of foreign countries in Uzbekistan. Individual certificates for 70 volumes of the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in World Collections" and "Architectural Epigraphy of Uzbekistan" were presented to the rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sodyq Safoev. 

Soft power in the hands of young diplomats

"In the new Uzbekistan under the leadership of our President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the study, preservation, and popularization of cultural heritage have been elevated to the level of state policy. In this context, an important direction of WOSCU's activities is cooperation with foreign museums, libraries, and organizations involved in Uzbek culture. Collaboration in this field with the University of World Economy and Diplomacy opens new horizons for us, bringing fresh forces and ideas thanks to dedicated youth. Our cooperation with the University is based on the understanding that imparting knowledge of Uzbek culture and heritage to the new generation is not just a mission but also a duty to our country's history. We see in every student a future cultural diplomat who will spread this knowledge worldwide, turning it into bridges between peoples and countries. This underscores our shared belief in the 'soft power' of culture as a tool for global understanding and peace," noted WOSCU Chairman Firdavs Abdukhalikov.

The celebration was brightened by performances from active and talented students of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, including the play "Jadids" by the "Diplomat" theater studio, a show of national costumes by the Beqassam brand, and the national Khorezm dance Lazgi. 

"WOSCU organized a wonderful exhibition dedicated to the study of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage. The biggest advantage of these publications is that they present various artifacts of our country's culture stored abroad. We cannot personally visit all the museums overseas, but here we can see them thanks to illustrations and detailed descriptions. We communicated with WOSCU scientists and learned a lot of new information. For us, as future diplomats, such communications are very important," noted UWED student Farangiz Normamatova.

Since the project's inception, Eriell Group, an oilfield services company, has been the general sponsor of the "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in World Collections" project.

Soft power in the hands of young diplomatsSoft power in the hands of young diplomats
The World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) was founded in 2018 at the initiative of more than 300 orientalists from around the world, officially registered in Paris in 2019, and also opened its representative office in Tashkent in 2023. 

Today, WOSCU unites over 450 scholars and annually, with the support of state, public, and international organizations, as well as socially responsible businesses, publishes book-albums in the series "The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections," and also conducts cultural and media events.