Intellectuals suggest launching round-the-clock CIS channel.

MOSCOW, October 16 (Itar-Tass) - Participants in the 5th forum of CIS
clerisy discussed the plans to launch a new round-the-clock television
channel "Mir-24."
The forum which ended in Moscow on Friday, was held under the slogan
"Innovative and humanitarian partnership is the basis for dynamic
development of CIS countries." It brought together delegations of
intellectuals from all countries of the Commonwealth of Independent
States, representatives of the CIS Executive Committee, the Eurasian
Economic Community, the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization.
"The CIS, with all its values and shortcomings, will be as we will
want to see it, as our young people will want to see it," said Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev as he opened the forum.
Many "round table" discussions within the framework of the forum
addressed the pressing problems of cooperation and innovation partnership,
as well as humanitarian interaction between CIS states. Five dedicated
chambers operated at the forum, including three that were set up this
year. They address such issues as environmental protection, tourism and
childhood protection.
"It's very important for us that conditions should be created for the
mobility of intellectuals, which is greatly impeded today," presidential
representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi
said.
He called for guarantees of the mutual recognition of higher education
diplomas and academic degrees in CIS states.
CIS representatives supported the initiative of the Congress of CIS
teachers - that was held in Astana -- Kazakhstan, on setting uo An
Association of Innovation Schools, and establishing the universal award
pin "CIS valedictorian."
In addition, the forum decided on joint implementation of the project
"cultural capitals of the Commonwealth." It envisions that two cities are
awarded the status of "cultural capitals" each year. They will become the
venue for numerous inter-state functions and actions. "This project will
contribute to the development of smaller CIS cities," Azerbaijan's
Ambassador to Russia Polad Byul-Byul Ogly said.
The presentation of an open network university took place within the
framework of the forum. It involves 16 colleges from eight CIS states.
Russia is represented by the Moscow Law Academy and the People's
Friendship University. The MGIMO institute of international relations
plans to join the project shortly. The objective of the open university is
to strengthen cooperation and college ties in higher education, and
bolster the prestige of higher education in CIS space.
The forum decided that the year 2011 will be the year of historical
and cultural heritage, while 2012 will become the year of sports and
healthy lifestyle. A program of events within the framework of these
festivals was approved at the forum.
The next forum of intellectuals is due to be held in Kiev in the
second half of 2011.
The Commonwealth of Independent States was created on December 8m
1991. It comprises 12 former Soviet republics.
-0-myz