Business programme

The changes taking place around the world are fundamental in nature and occurring in all areas at once: social, technological, economic, cultural, military, and political. Taken together, they are leading to the thorough transformation of the entire international system, in which we need to rethink the very concept of development. Humanity has always evolved through conflict. Once they reach their peak, tensions have to such breakdowns as social revolutions, direct military and political confrontations, and manmade disasters. As a result, a different reality has emerged with a new quality of social relations and geopolitical balance of power. Today, humanity faces a growing number of new types of problems, and their solution requires a creative combination of efforts. These changes are multifaceted, as are the potential conflicts they generate, and it is risky and presumptuous to expect that a new balance of power will emerge from conflicts. Wasting resources and energy on conflict means reducing the space for positive responses. Everyone agrees with this in words, but in reality the culture of conflict, which is rooted in Western political philosophy, continues to dominate international relations. Meanwhile, expanding the circle of active and high-profile global players to include countries with different cultures and traditions (Asia, Africa, the Arab East and the Muslim world as a whole, and Latin America) would allow us to take a different path. Instead of conflict, we could advocate for rational egoism, the convergence of interests, and harmonious development, both in different societies and in the international arena. How do different cultures perceive development and progress? What recipes do various civilizational traditions offer and how compatible are they in modern conditions? Is peace possible without constant geopolitical rivalry? How can we turn the idea of ‘shared destiny’ from a slogan into a guide to action? Is it possible to have a social model in which there is no mandatory struggle between classes, social groups, and political parties?

Welcome address
Andrey Bystritskiy, Сhairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Andrey Bystritskiy

Сhairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

In 1985-1991, Andrey Bystritskiy was engaged in research as a Senior Fellow at the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences. He has been in the media industry since 1991, starting as the Head of the Audience Research Department of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Company (RTR), author and host of radio and television broadcasts. In 1993-1996, Andrey Bystritskiy headed sociological research at the Company. From 1996 to 1997, he was in charge of the "Society" Department at the Itogi (Russian Newsweek) magazine. In 1997-1998, Andrey Bystritskiy was Deputy Director General for Information at TV Tsentr. Between 1998 and 1999, he was the Producer of the Russian news service on BBC. In 1999, he joined the Organizing Committee of the Unofficial Moscow Festival as one of its Co-Chairs, he was also a member of the Editorial Board of the Moscow Alternative newspaper and Chairman of the Mayak State Radio Broadcasting Company (main information radio in Russia). In 2000, Bystritskiy became the Director General of the Vesti State Television Company (an entity of RTR). From 2000 to 2008, he was Deputy Director General of RTR and the Director of the Department of Information Programmes of the Russia TV. In 2000-2013 Bystritskiy was a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of international broadcasting company Euronews. Between 2005 and 2007, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Apologia monthly magazine. From 2008 to 2014, he was the Chairman of the Voice of Russia State Radio Company (Russian international broadcaster in 44 languages). Andrey Bystritskiy has been at the National Research University – Higher School of Economics since 2001, as a Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries (until September 1, 2022 - Dean of the Faculty of Communications, Media and Design), Professor since 2014. Since 2008, he has been the head of the Council of the Heads of Government and Public Television and Radio Organizations of CIS Countries. Since 2014, Bystritskiy has been the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club and the Chairman of the Public Supervisory Council of the Russian Ministry of Communications. Andrey Bystritskiy is a Professor and PhD (Pedagogics, 1989). He is a member of the Union of Writers. In June 2007, he received the Order of Honour. Andrey Bystritskiy is the author of books, including such works as Youth Subcultures and Russia's Intelligentsia During the Demise of the Soviet System (1991), and numerous publications in newspapers and magazines.

Moderator
Fyodor Lukyanov, Academic Director, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club; Chief Editor, Russia in Global Affairs Journal

Fyodor Lukyanov

Academic Director, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club; Chief Editor, Russia in Global Affairs Journal

Fyodor Lukyanov was an international journalist in 1990-2002.
He collaborated with numerous newspapers, radio and television broadcasters.
Since 2002, he has been the Editor-in-Chief of the Russia in Global Affairs journal.
In 2012, Lukyanov was appointed as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy – one of the oldest Russian NGOs.
Since 2015, Fyodor Lukyanov has been the Research Director of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club.
Fyodor Lukyanov is a Research Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, National Research University – Higher School of Economics.
He is considered one of the most well-known Russian experts in the field of international relations and foreign affairs, author of numerous articles in Russian and foreign media.
Lukyanov received the Government Award of the Russian Federation in 2011 for his contribution to international journalism.

Panellists
Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, Professor, Faculty of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University
Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder, President, Center for China and Globalization (online)
Gustavo De Carvalho, Senior Fellow, Russian-African Relations at the South African Institute of International Affairs
Ram Madhav Varanasi, President, India Foundation (online)
Ruslan Yunusov, Co-founder, Russian Quantum Center

Connie Rahakundini Bakrie

Professor, Faculty of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University

Henry Huiyao Wang

Founder, President, Center for China and Globalization

Gustavo De Carvalho

Senior Fellow, Russian-African Relations at the South African Institute of International Affairs

Ram Madhav Varanasi

President, India Foundation

Ruslan Yunusov

Co-founder, Russian Quantum Center

Ruslan Yunusov is a successful manager with 15 years of experience in the fuel and energy sector, as well as in investment and innovation companies. Graduated (summa cum laude) from the Physics Faculty of the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University.
He did his PhD studies in the N.M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics RAS. He also earned the second graduate degree in economics (summa cum laude) at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. In 2017 he got his Executive MBA degree in the business school INSEAD. He also has about 15 publications on physical and economic topics.
Starting from August 2012 Ruslan Yunusov has been being CEO of the Russian Quantum Center (RQC) which provides fundamental and applied investigations in the field of quantum technologies and works on invention and commercialization of new technologies and devices based on quantum effects. Under his leadership the Russian Quantum Center received about 2 bln RUB investment – the largest investment of a private company to a scientific organization in the modern history of Russia.
For 9 years Ruslan has managed to assemble a team of leading scientists from around the world – create 19 scientific groups and build 17 modern laboratories from the ground up. The scientific results of the RQC are recognized in the world community and published in the best journals (Science, Nature). 8 startups are launched currently. The Center's specialists are developing hypersensitive sensors, optical microresonators, elements of quantum computers (qubits), as well as quantum cryptography systems, etc. In 2016, the center was the first in Russia to launch an absolutely secure connection in commercial lines, in May 2017 – the country's first multinode quantum network and the world's first quantum blockchain. In October 2018, he created the Quantum Communications Competence Center of National Technology Initiative (NTI). In 2019 he led the development of a roadmap for quantum technologies within the framework of the Digital Economy national program.
Currently he is a Head of the project of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom on quantum technologies with a budget of 24 bln RUB.
Actively engaged in the promotion of science and high technologies: public lectures (including for large companies: Sberbank, Gazprombank, Nissan, Intel, Leaders of Russia); articles and interviews in leading Russian and Western media. Engaged in the development of scientific and technological relations of Russia with the world community.
Constant member of the Russia and international forums as CIPR, SPIEF, annual meetings of the Valdai Discussion Club, Startup Village, Berlin Science Week and others.