The Digoria Platform and the Russian Society "Knowledge" held the Humanities Marathon

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On May 3, the Humanities Marathon of the Digoria Platform together with the Russian Society "Knowledge" was held at the International RUSSIA EXPO. The aim of the Marathon was to generate a new view of social sciences and humanities as a synergy of all directions.

The main news of the event was the announcement that the Digoria Platform now deals not only with political scientists, but also with other social and humanities specialists: philosophers, sociologists, psychologists and others. Zaurbek Khugaev, head of the Digoria Platform, shared his opinion on the development of the organization. 

"We have created an infrastructure within which every humanities scholar of the country can get all the necessary opportunities in "one window": to get a grant for project implementation, to enter the Expert Club and engage in public activities at the federal level, to get experience and knowledge from the best mentors of the country and much more," said Zaurbek Khugaev.

Dean of the Faculty of Political Science of Moscow State University, President of the Russian Society of Political Scientists Andrei Shutov, who supported the initiative to organize the Digoria Forum, noted: "We must be active, promoting traditional values in our space. To do this, we must communicate with young people, and more specifically with social and humanities specialists. After all, it is social and humanitarian values that form the basis of Russian civilization," said Andrei Shutov.

According to Dmitry Rybalchenko, the Humanities Marathon, organized by the Digoria Platform and the Russian Society "Knowledge", is designed to introduce the audience to trends and innovations in social and humanitarian disciplines. The event gives an opportunity to take a fresh look at the challenges facing the state and society.

The program of the Humanities Marathon consisted of presentations by speakers from specialized fields. Valery Fedorov, Director General of VCIOM, noted the fundamental role of sociology for the development of the entire social and humanitarian profile. Understanding of public opinion allows the state to build effective work in various areas. The speaker paid special attention to the role of Russian youth: "The demands of young people are crucial in government decisions. According to the latest data, family is the main value of today's youth". That is why 2024 was declared the Year of the Family by the President of the Russian Federation.

Antonina Selezneva, Doctor of Political Science, Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology and Psychology of Politics at the Faculty of Political Science of Moscow State University, Director of the Department of Educational Activities of EISR, told the audience about the distinctive features and role of political leadership.

"You become a leader only when people follow you. When we talk about political leadership, it means that many people follow you," Antonina Selezneva told the audience.

She also noted that a leader is defined by the ability to take responsibility. Vladimir Putin's decision to take responsibility for achieving the country's goals within the framework of the new presidential term can be considered an example of such an approach.

Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics of the NRU HSE, Director of Research at the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Chairman of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, spoke on international relations, saying that the new world order is now just taking shape.

"Most countries of the world have lost the desire to follow in someone else's footsteps. We are all waiting for a new world order. At the same time, Russia can provide for itself regardless of the external situation," Fyodor Lukyanov noted.

The audience was particularly interested in the lecture by Alexander Dugin, Doctor of Political Sciences, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor, Head of the I. Ilyin Higher Political School Educational and Research Center of the RSHU, who devoted his speech to the development of Russian philosophical thought. In particular, the speaker assessed the prospects for the development of modern Russian philosophical thought: "The President has made it clear: there are no fundamental obstacles to the development of Russian philosophy. For 22 years, Russia has been freely defending its sovereignty and its economic freedom," emphasized Alexander Dugin.

The PolitJob Career Festival was also held at the event. Participants were able to learn from heads of HR departments of leading organizations of the social and political sphere how to build a career for students and graduates of humanitarian specialties, what skills are in demand in the labor market today, about corporate culture, job opportunities and internships. As part of the Career Festival, the following speakers presented their organizations: Yegor Litvinenko, Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs; Nikita Setov, Deputy CEO for GR of the Polylog Consulting Group; Maria Tsepeleva, Head of the HR Department of ANO "Dialog Regions"; Alexandra Frolova, HR Director of ANO "Russia — Land of Opportunity"; and Maria Tsukanova, Head of the VCIOM Nonprofit Communications Service.

The Humanities Marathon ended with a closed session of the Digoria Expert Club, where club members and the Platform leadership discussed the meanings developed during the Humanities Marathon, developed new approaches to the synergy of social and humanitarian sciences, as well as the implementation of social and political projects in the patriotic and youth sphere. The session was supported by the Presidential Grants Fund.