1) The initiative “the Economic zone of the Silk Road”.
2) Development of index of the International Fund.
3) Multiculturalism in the context of the modern globalizing world.
4) Non-aligned countries: security challenges and how to overcome them.
5) “Azerbaijan: Alternative Energy Solutions”: the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline – Connecting Caspian and Adriatic Seas.
1) The initiative “the Economic zone of the Silk Road”.
The initiative of the Economic Zone of the Silk Road was first announced by China in 2013. Chinese Foreign Minister Wan Yi stressed that the implementation of this initiative will be the “focus” of foreign policy of China in 2015. The essence of this initiative is to search for, form and promote the new model of an international cooperation and development through the strengthening of existing regional mechanisms for bilateral and multilateral interactions involving China. On the basis of the continuation and development of the spirit of the ancient Silk Road it is planned to provide development of new mechanisms for regional economic partnership, promote the economic prosperity of the countries involved, strengthening of cultural exchanges and strengthening of relations in all fields between different civilizations, as well as the promotion of peace and sustainable development.
Currently, some of the countries participating in the International Fund (for example Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan) supported the initiative of China, while others have shown interest.
At the same time, the countries of the International Fund, for example, Azerbaijan and Turkey are carrying out important regional infrastructural projects such as the railway Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, which are aimed to create optimal transport routes connecting East and West.
As part of this research project it is proposed that the experts of the International Fund examine the contribution of each of these projects and initiatives in the trade between East and West, as well as the possibility of cooperation between them to achieve common goals.
2) Development of index of the International Fund.
In political, social and economic sciences there are a number of indices, which allow detecting and monitoring the performance, development or change of anything. As an example, you can specify the Consumer Price Index, a global index of competitiveness, global peace index (measures the so-called peace-loving between states), the index of vulnerability between states, etc. Such indexes are maintained mainly by the influential international non-governmental organizations, and such indices and rankings have always attracted the attention of the international community and the media.
This project is proposed to be a development of personal index, which will be conducted by the International Fund. As an idea it was proposed the development of “the Index of the contribution of small States in maintaining regional security and economic development”.
3) Multiculturalism in the context of the modern globalizing world.
«Multicultural» as a concept is used to define a society, that for various reasons (for example, in certain European countries due to immigration) is diverse, and a policy, that is necessary for the management of such society. This term describes the society and at the same time regulations, how to handle it. Path to multicultural society and the policies of multiculturalism of governments around the world is different.
The project envisages an international scientific seminar (conference), for example, in Istanbul or in Belgrade, with the participation of renowned experts (politicians, social scientists and international analysts), in order to review the main trends in the implementation of the policy of multiculturalism in the region and opportunities for positive experiences of these countries to build societies where without conflict and in harmony coexist diversity of cultural groups within one state.
4) Non-aligned countries: security challenges and how to overcome them.
The conflict in Ukraine, the war in the Middle East and the deterioration of Russian-Turkish relations are showing the increasing polarization of the world between the superpowers as it was like during the Cold War. Countries which do not participate in military blocs, led by these powers, and are in close proximity to the conflict regions, are with concern following the unfolding events. They prefer not to interfere and to hold someone’s side in the competition between the major centers of power. The fact that they are deprived of the collective shield of protection, for example, as it uses NATO or the Collective Security Treaty Organization, only shows that they have to rely solely on their own resources to ensure their safety. The current trend of international relations shows that the idea of Non-Aligned Movement takes on a new urgency, at the same time this movement cannot fully provide solutions to existing problems.
The project proposes to comprehensively consider the above issues and make recommendations that would help non-aligned countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia) to ensure their safety.
5) “Azerbaijan: Alternative Energy Solutions”: the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline – Connecting Caspian and Adriatic Seas.
The project includes analysis and assessment of the role of Azerbaijan in ensuring energy security of Europe. Project in this context will be taken as a basis for Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and its impact on economic and energy levels of security, cooperation between the Caspian region and Europe.