The International Symposium ‘Creating the Future’ concluded in Moscow on 6 November. It was the first event held at the National Centre ‘Russia’, established by order of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The symposium was attended by more than 6 thousand people from 101 countries.

The participants, including government and business representatives, scientists and engineers, futurologists and forecasters, public figures and creative industries representatives from BRICS, SCO, CIS and other countries, participated in more than 80 events, the main goal of which was to design the future. The Symposium became a unique platform allowing leading experts in their fields to formulate approaches and analyse global changes toward multi-vector, anthropocentrism and technology.

The key ideas and strategies developed through the sessions will form the basis for the "Rossiya" National Centre's future work.

Vladimir Putin addressed the participants of the event with a welcoming speech. He noted that despite the current challenges we are facing today, it is necessary to set tasks that are ahead of the times, to outline new directions for breakthroughs, and to strive to look beyond tomorrow's horizon.

"I would like to emphasise the main point - we must determine our future only by ourselves - based on a sovereign worldview, national culture, tireless creative search, and firm adherence to indisputable moral and patriotic ideals and values. And then the boldest, most daring dreams will surely come true. Our people have proved it many times throughout the thousand-year history. They have built a great power, opened the way to the stars for mankind, ensured the country's leadership in the peaceful atom's use, and made great scientific and geographical discoveries. Us and future generations should be worthy of our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers,’ Vladimir Putin emphasised.

At the opening plenary discussion ‘Philosophy of the Future’, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the National Centre ‘Russia’ Sergey Kiriyenko noted the cross-sectoral significance of the event, which inspired specialists from a wide range of industries to work in a consolidated manner.

"The nation's unity is determined not only by traditions but also by a future vision. If you want - by a dream. And we, of course, have dreamed and are dreaming of a sovereign and strong country, a fair world order, in which people of every nationality are allowed to realise their talent, to be happy and successful, and to live in a safe world. And all those here at the international symposium are making a huge contribution to this,' Sergey Kiriyenko said.

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov in his statement emphasised the importance of developing international cooperation in the scientific and social spheres.

"Humanity needs to work together. The symposium, which gathered representatives from more than 100 countries, is an important step towards understanding such a need. I think, you will agree that no single state can form the whole complex of tomorrow's technologies, it is simply impossible. We should co-operate, putting aside excessive protectionism, restriction and unfair competition. Russia expects to become one of the key participants in such cooperation for the sake of the future, for this, we have the experience of effective work on global scientific and social projects of the modern world,’ Denis Manturov stressed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted during his address that Russia's history facilitates the productive work of experts from around the world.

"The entire millennial experience of our statehood and the achievements of our state, which will be vividly presented at the Russia National Centre, should serve as a powerful stimulus for the creative activity of our civil society. If there is such activity - and it always appears in crucial times - I assure you that diplomats will be the most reliable allies for you,' Sergey Lavrov informed.

The discussions at the symposium focused on four key areas: the future of man, the future of technology, the future of the multipolar world, and the future of civilisations.

"The “Creating the Future” Symposium was a lively platform for bold ideas and talent pooling for a better world. Scientists, writers, futurologists, artists and technologists from dozens of countries gathered to create together a new image of a fair, interesting and harmonious future. I sincerely thank everyone who shares this dream with us and believe that this is only the first step on the way to our common achievements,' Natalya Virtuozova, Director General of the Russia National Centre, remarked.

Thus, within the ‘Future of Civilisation’ track, experts discussed the post-information society and Russian futurology development, the theory of generations and interaction with artificial intelligence. In the ‘Future of the Multipolar World’ track, the Russian and international expert community representatives discussed trends and challenges in international relations, the role of international organisations and prospects for their reform, the relationship between the citizen and the state of the future, and family ties. The researchers also considered the future of monetary processes, architecture and food security, Arctic exploration and development, the role of the Global South in innovation processes and relations with the Global North.

The ‘Future of Man’ track participants tried to rethink the role and form of education of the future, science, sport, content, language and communications. A significant area of work in this track was a series of interviews conducted by Semyon Mikhailovsky, a member of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art, and the Rector of the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. His interlocutors were the head of the Geopolitical Observatory on Russia's Key Issues - G.O.R.K.I. Centre of St. Petersburg State University, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria (2017-2019) Karin Kneissl, President of the Research Centre ‘Kurchatov Institute’ Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the A.N. Bakulev National Medical Research Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery of the Russian Ministry of Health Leo Bokeria, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the New Russia State Symphony Orchestra Yuri Bashmet, and President of the Russian Union of Architects Nikolai Shumakov.

The work in the ‘Future of Technology’ track was devoted to cyberpunk and biopunk, changes in the structure of content, its creation, consumption and distribution discussion. Scientists tried to envisage technological and organisational solutions that will meet the growing needs of Russia and humanity for clean energy, discussed transport of the future, the prospects of the quantum industry and the future of digital international relations.

In the frames of the symposium, the exhibition ‘Heritage for the Future’ was opened on the site of the National Centre ‘Russia’. It presents more than 250 works of art in various techniques, from painting to video art, created by talented young authors from six countries - Russia, China, India, Brazil, Ethiopia and Iran. The exhibition's curator is Semyon Mikhailovsky. The exhibition will open its doors to everyone as early as 7 November.

"We have carefully examined a lot of works and selected those that are worthy to be presented in the national centre “Russia”. We are very enthusiastic and we like these works. We support these young artists, who are insanely talented and have all the resources and data, and wish them success in life and creativity,' Semyon Mikhailovsky commented.

The Museum Congress ‘Museum - a place for shaping the future’ became the important event of the symposium.

The participants - leading specialists of the industry - tried to find out what museums of the future should be like and what is the role of such expositions in shaping tomorrow's reality. The congress moderator, art historian, and director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts Elizaveta Likhacheva noted that the symposium became the platform for dialogue the world community lacked.

"The main achievement of this congress is that we had the opportunity to discuss topics we care about. It seems to me that such an informative platform appears, and the fact that this platform is outside traditional museum communications is great,' Elizaveta Likhacheva stated.

The scenario room dedicated to the theme ‘Overcoming the boundaries of ageing in the concept of techno-optimism’ was a unique event to be held in the symposium frame. Specialists, scientists, and representatives of the technology and media business with the help of artificial intelligence developed a whole universe with unique characters and their living spaces, the events of which unfold in Russia in the future.

Another experimental format - ‘Foresight of Worlds and Times’ allowed representatives of creative and scientific professions to work on drawing maps of science fiction worlds at the turn of the XXI and XXII centuries. Expert groups explored science fiction worlds, projected possible ways of their development, and created key events and heroes of science fiction of the future.

Furthermore, excursions were organised for the foreign participants of the symposium to showcase Moscow's outstanding sites. Foreign guests visited a river excursion dedicated to the history and architecture of the city. A walk along the water allowed them to enjoy the views of Moscow, and learn how it has changed and what awaits it in future. The guests also learnt about Soviet Constructivist buildings on a special bus tour of Moscow.

Over the three days of the symposium, the  National Centre ‘Russia’ library was replenished with books donated by the foreign guests. Participants from India, Iran, Italy, Canada, China, Malaysia, Moldova, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and the United States presented unique samples.

Under the ‘Message to the Future’ project, guests could leave their wishes or visions for the future, and share their plans and dreams on special postcards that could be sent to their loved ones or even to themselves directly from the venue to anywhere the world or left as a souvenir.

The International Symposium ‘Creating the Future’ is the first event of the National Centre ‘Russia’, which was established on 1 July 2024 by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin order. The Centre is designed to preserve the legacy of the international exhibition forum ‘Russia’ and demonstrate the country and its citizens' achievements. The Сentre involves federal authorities, state companies, corporations and regions.

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Website of the National Centre ‘Russia’ - https://russia.ru/
Website of the symposium ‘Creating the Future’ - https://future.russia.ru/
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