High level of interethnic tolerance is observed in Bashkortostan - RAS expert report

UFA, 11 March 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Galiya Nabieva/. Analysis of the situation in the sphere of international relations and national policy indicates that in Bashkortostan stable and peaceful relations, a high level of ethnic and religious tolerance of the population are maintained. This is a conclusion reached by experts of Distributed Scientific Centre of Interethnic and Inter-Religious Issues of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The outcome of the study was the expert report on inter-ethnic relations and religious situation in the Volga Federal District under the general editorship of Academician Valery Tishkov.

According to the authors, the report provides an analysis of both positive practices of the state national policy implementation, and a description of problems that need to be considered by the state authorities and local self-government, civil society institutions.

According to Ildar Gabdrafikov, the senior researcher of the Institute of Ethnological Studies Ufa Scientific Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, the year of 2015 was quite difficult for Russia, including for our republic. It involved the economic crisis and international sanctions, weakening of the ruble and decrease in standard of living of the population.

"Analysis of the situation in the sphere of international relations and national policy in the last year shows that stable and peaceful relations persist in the republic".

The expert admits that "it is impossible to say that there are no problems in this area. They are and they are caused by a greater extent by spontaneous or local circumstances but not fundamental causes".

It is marked in the report that the republican authorities do much to preserve and strengthen stability.

"Such socially significant events as the 3rd Congress of People’s Assembly RB, 4th World Kurultai of Bashkirs, the founding conference of the Federal National Cultural Autonomy of Bashkirs were held in a constructive manner, without undue politicization. In November 2015 it was signed an agreement on social partnership between the government of the republic and spiritual leaders of traditional religions".

The report emphasizes that Bashkortostan was a venue for the Summits of Heads of the SCO and BRICS member- states. This event was preceded by extensive preparatory work, as a result of which Ufa turned into a congress centre of the international level. Already, the republican leadership is preparing to hold World Folkloriad 2020 in Bashkortostan that certainly will give a powerful impetus to the development of the region.