The Sixth Session of the Academic Council meeting of the IISNC
On August 7th, 2011 the sixth session of the Academic Council of the IISNC (the International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations) was successfully held in Mongol Shiltgeen (Mongol Palace) Hotel, Mongolia. Totally 7 members of the Academic Council have participated in this session and 3 members sent their supposition and proposal by letter forms.
During this session welcome speech was given by the chairperson of the Academic Council Prof. J.Legrand. He underlined the role of the IISNC to the further study of nomadic civilizations.
The 2008-2011 activity report of the IISNC was made by the academician B.Enkhtuvshin. In the reporting period the IISNC organized 4 scientific conferences, 11 research projects, 4 archaeological surveys and published 28 books. In the Academic Council meeting the members have approved an activity programme of the IISNC in 2011-2012. Also the members have elected academician B.Enkhtuvshin as a director of the IISNC.
The International Conference on “Cultural Diversity of Nomads“
There is a growing need to increase the understanding and dialogue between cultures and civilizations. The IISNC (the Institute under the auspices of UNESCO category II) emphasizes the importance of recognizing the richness of nomadic culture and its diversity. Within the scope of UNESCO Participation Programme the institute organized an international conference on “Cultural Diversity of Nomads” on August 6th-7th, 2011 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The conference’s main objective was to combine the theoretical and practical dimensions of intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity, bringing these topical international issues to a wide audience, with particular emphasis on youth and the professional sectors of culture.
In this conference leading scholars and researchers on history, archaeology, cultural anthropology and culturology have stressed on below mentioned issues:
- Investigation of the historical and cultural heritages of nomads
- Clarification of the ways of ancient cultural correlation and mutual influences among neighboring and other cultures
- Determination of the nomadic cultural diversity in its different dimensions (ethnicity, gender, age, language etc.)
- Cultural participation as a form of social cohesion
The International Conference on “Cultural Diversity of Nomads” divided into two sections:
-“Cultural Heritage of the Nomads”
-“Multidimensional vision of intercultural dialogue” Over 40 scholars and researchers from Europe, Asia, and America have presented experiences and debate on the understanding nomadic cultural heritage, intercultural dialogue and the implications of cultural diversity.
The participants of this conference have declared a recommendation on Development of Cultural Diversity of Nomads. As an outcome of this project the proceedings on “Cultural Diversity of Nomads” were published.
“Erdene-Zuu: past, present and future” International Conference
(Activity report)
Within the scope of the Mongolian-Japanese collaborative research project on “Erdene-Zuu (2009-2011)” was organized an international conference on “Erdene-Zuu: past, present and future” on September 16th -20th , 2011 in Ulaanbaatar-Kharkhorin. This conference was organized by International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations jointly with Mongolian-Japanese “Erdene-Zuu” project team, and financial supporter was the Japanese Foundation. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of Mongolia and the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia were supported an activity of this international conference.
In the opening ceremony of this conference were participated the President of Mongolian Academy of Sciences and advisors of the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia and made speeches.
In the international conference on “Erdene-Zuu: past, present and future” were participated 24 scholars from Mongolia, Japan, Russia, Poland and PR China and made papers and presentations. Moreover specialists of the Cultural Heritage Site of Orkhon valley and researchers of the Kharkhorum and Erdene-Zuu museums and local people said their opinion on this monument.
Papers have stressed on history of the Erdene-Zuu, first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, and its architectural specifics, ritual activities on tsam dance as well as economy and social levels of its lama etc., Also scholars underlined Erdene-Zuu monastery’s value and role to the development of Mongolian Buddhism and discussed on present preservation condition and restoration and managment issues.
The participants of the international conference on “Erdene-Zuu: past, present and future” viewed that conference will contribute to the future of this monastery. All papers translated into English and distributed to the libraries of Mongolia and some researchers. This paper book is first publishing of the scientific research on Erdene-Zuu. The participants made a recommendation on “Strengthen managment of Erdene-Zuu monastery”. This recommedation includes issues on study, restoration, and managment and publishing a regular magazine on Erdene-Zuu etc., The project team was delivered this recommendation to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of Mongolia and Embassy of Japan in Mongolia.
At present time we have prepared first edition of the regular magazine on Erdene-Zuu and Cultural Heritage Site of Orkhon Valley. It will a realization of one issue of aforementioned recommendation.
The Japan foundation was donated 17.000 usd to the organization of the “Erdene-zuu: past, present and future” conference. Here we have attached financial report and a recommendation as well as proceedings.
