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On 15 June 2020 the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Brussels, with the support of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO)  organized an online discussion with leading think tanks in Russia and Europe: "International cooperation and public diplomacy during the pandemic crisis: challenges, practices, trends".

2nd Forum “European Meridian XXI” was held in online format and brought together leading experts in the field of international relations, public diplomacy, social studies, migration, cultural projects. The speakers of the discussion was  the representatives of leading European and Russian think tanks, research centres, universities, key national museums and cultural platforms.

More than 200 participants from 31 country of the world registered to participate in the event: Austria, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia,  Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Spain, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan. There are more than 1400 FB video views.

The organisers have chosen following topics for discussion:

• Public diplomacy as a means of strengthening solidarity between countries. Will it help to overcome mistrust?
• Social changes in the era of the pandemic: Migration, distancing vs responsibility and solidarity
• Digitization and cultural diversity. What kind of "remote" cultural product will remain in demand after the pandemic?

Irina SEMENENKO, Deputy Director, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia). She analyzed the responsibility of states, societies and individuals in relation to the pandemic and the world at large, highlighted the issues of digital learning, the difference between inclusive identity and multiculturalism, the gap in life values and intergenerational approaches.

"It is important not to depend on the idea of sustainability as core value of development, but to focus on responsibility ". In this regard, Irina pointed out the need for a sensible approach to nature and economic development, the importance of developing intangible intellectual resources, the development of good governance, including the involvement of different segments of the societies, as well as the development of individual responsibility.  

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