June 14, Moscow (DPRK ISG Information Bureau – RSTV)   

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[中国语] [Deutsch]

On May 27, on the occasion of the historic date — the 100th anniversary of the birth of people’s diplomacy in the Russian Federation — a solemn gathering titled “People’s Diplomacy: History, Present, Prospects” was held at the House of the Russian Diaspora.

The event was organized by the International Association of Peace Foundations (IAPF) and the International Community of Public Associations – Societies of Friendship with Foreign Nations (ICFA). The DPRK International Solidarity Group (DPRK ISG) provided active support.

The gathering was attended by prominent representatives of public, political, and academic circles, staff of diplomatic missions of friendly countries, as well as activists of the international solidarity movement with the DPRK.

Among those present from our organization were: Comrade Sergey Baburin — President of the IAPF, Deputy Chairman of the Coordination Committee and Head of the Russian Executive Committee of the DPRK ISG; Comrade Alexander Mostov — Director of the Asia Department of the IAPF and Chairman of the Coordination Committee of the DPRK ISG; Comrade Viktor Petrov — Chairman of the Russian Society for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK; Comrade Christopher Helali — International Secretary of the American Communist Party and Head of the North American Executive Committee of the DPRK ISG; Comrade Jackson Hinkle — renowned video blogger and activist of the North American Executive Committee; Comrade Ivan Kozlov — Regional Secretary of the DPRK ISG in the Central Federal District of Russia; as well as activists from numerous primary cells of the solidarity movement.

Also in attendance were representatives of embassies of friendly states, delegates from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), the Council of Korean War Veterans, the International Union of Ethnic Koreans, the independent socialist creative association JoJack, the Student Anti-Fascist Front (SAF), and other public movements.

Participants respectfully recalled the glorious history of people’s diplomacy, which dates back to 1925 with the founding of the All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. The relay of friendship and international brotherhood was continued by the Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship (SSSF), the Soviet Peace Foundation (now the IAPF), and the organization Rossotrudnichestvo, which has opened cultural and educational centers under the name “Russian House” in dozens of countries.

Speakers emphasized that in the face of the West’s aggressive hegemonist policy, the significance of people’s diplomacy as a tool for justice, international solidarity, and anti-imperialist unity is growing immeasurably.

During the official part of the event, awards were presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of international humanitarian and cultural cooperation. Of particular note was the establishment of the Silver Medal of the IAPF — a new honorary award symbolizing the centennial legacy of people’s diplomacy.

Comrade Viktor Petrov was awarded the honorary medal for his outstanding contributions to the strengthening of Russian-Korean friendship. In his speech, he stated:

“I bring you warm greetings from the front lines, where our Korean brothers are actively defending our country. Victory will certainly be ours, for we are not alone — with us are our friends, and closest among them, our brothers from the DPRK, who came to the frontline in our most difficult hour.”

Comrades Christopher Helali and Jackson Hinkle spoke.

Between award presentations, musical performances were held by artists from various countries, singing in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and English. These performances became a symbol of friendship and mutual understanding among peoples.

In the second part of the event, a friendly reception was held, during which participants had the opportunity to discuss the prospects of people’s diplomacy in an informal setting and take commemorative photographs.

The event served as an expression of unity and the steadfast will of the peoples for a just and peaceful future founded on respect, equality, and solidarity.