11 October 2013
International Forum on the Great Silk Road bringing together most prominent international and Kazakhstani experts on Silk Road studies will be held on 14-16 October 2013 in Almaty (“Almaty Resort” Complex).
The forum is aimed at reassessment of common cultural heritage along the Silk Road and enhancing its potential for deepening international scientific, cultural and humanitarian cooperation in the framework of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022).In the focus of the event will be official launch of the world’s first comprehensive UNESCO web portal on the Silk Road studies, for creation of which Kazakshtani side donated 100 000 USD in 2012. Main objective of the project is to create open access online database system compiled from materials provided by world’s leading research institutions working with such aspects of Silk Road as: studies on intercultural dialogue and experience of peaceful coexistence; common intangible, cultural and documental heritage of Silk Road; role of the Silk Road in cultural interaction of Central Asia and beyond; touristic aspects and etc. Template of the website will be available in English, Russian, French and Chinese languages at the website.
Furthermore, forum is aimed to promote nomination on “Monuments along the Great Silk Road”, submitted by Republic of Kazakhstan to the UNESCO World Heritage Center in February 2013. Event is as well planned to be a part of Kazakhstan’s election campaign to the World Heritage Committee 2013-2017.
Among the participants of the forum are leading scientists and experts on Silk Road studies from foreign countries including CIS region, representatives of UNESCO Secretariat as well as the members of Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO and a number of prominent Kazakhstani experts.
Cultural program of the event will be presented by the exhibition called “Great Silk Road in the eyes of Children” and excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Petroglyphs of Archaeological Landscape Tamgaly”.
Secretariat of Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO
Permanent link: http://en.unesco.kz/international-forum-on-the-great-silk-road