Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 October (BelTA) – Philosophical knowledge should promote international cooperation and integration, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Vladimir Gusakov said at the opening ceremony of the first Belarusian philosophy congress entitled as National Philosophy in the Global World on 18 October, BelTA has learned.

“The interest in understanding scientific and philosophical ideas has been recently on the rise in the Belarusian society, as in many other countries. Productive approaches are developed to match traditions with innovations in the politics, economy and culture. Philosophical knowledge can and should give an impetus to innovative transformations in all aspects of a society’s life, international cooperation and integration. These are the expectations from the science in general and the humanitarian knowledge in particular that have made part of the system of priorities for 2017 – the Year of Science in Belarus. I am confident that the outstanding scholars and experts from more than 20 countries and prominent representatives of the Belarusian philosophical science will be able to make a considerable contribution to addressing these problems,” said Vladimir Gusakov.

Secretary General of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies Luca Maria Scarantino, who has come to Minsk to take part in the forum, emphasized that the organization of the congress positions Belarus as a venue for communication for the international community of scholars.

Director of the NASB Institute of Philosophy Anatoly Lazarevich, in turn, noted that philosophy in the modern world is not only theory but also practical knowledge. “Our institute has created a practical cluster: the national center of fundamental and practical philosophy. Its purpose is to bring philosophy closer to the problems of the Belarusian society, to the problems of modern culture, he added.

The first Belarusian philosophy congress is running in Minsk on 18-20 October. The forum has brought together scholars from 20 countries, including Russia, China, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and the Baltic states.

The Belarusian-Chinese philosophy and culture research center at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) will open on 19 October. It will contribute to the intensification of contacts between the academic institutions and the development of the Silk Road economic zone. The center was established by agreement between the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Lingnan University. The center will operate on the basis of both institutions. A center was opened at the Lingnan University earlier.

The congress will be Belarus’ largest scientific forum in the field of philosophy, social sciences and humanities, an important event of the Year of Science marked in the country in 2017. Among the guests of the congress will be heads of the international scientific organizations and foundations, and leaders of the national philosophical schools of several states. The organizers view the congress as a tool for consolidating Belarusian scholars to address the fundamental development challenges facing the country, society and culture, and also as a means of demonstrating the achievements of Belarusian science, the heritage of Belarusian spiritual culture, intellectual potential of Belarus, the country's contribution to the peace process and solution of global problems.