Cultural Communication In a Global, Changing World: Current Status and Prospects

The global, multicultural world is characterized by accelerating economic and technological development, a combination of stability and instability, conservation and change, and an increasing intensity of communication contacts in various spheres of life. Cultural interaction between individuals and various social, ethnic, and political groups occurs at all levels of self-organization—local, regional, national, and interstate. In intra-cultural and intercultural communication, we observe a weakening and crisis of universal values, as well as a frequent lack of respect between communicants. These manifestations are rooted in the excessive growth of the destructive influence of capitalists on power, social governance, and the system of human relations, and the growing social distance between the ultra-rich minority and the majority of the middle-income and low-income population. Sociology is called upon to diagnose the current state of social and cultural communication in this turbulent, alarming reality, highlight positive and negative aspects, and offer society mechanisms for mitigating growing social inequality, limiting manifestations of egoism, disrespect for others, and ignoring the vital needs of broad social strata. It is crucial to identify desired standards and ideals for the humanization of communication and the entire system of social relations. The session will provide a platform for discussing theoretical and applied aspects of modern communication practice, identifying new communication models, and overcoming risks and stereotypes.