A short and engaging interview with Dr. Rokhshandeh, Executive Director of the ECO Cultural Institute, discussing the role of culture in regional integration and the institute’s upcoming plans.
1. Welcome, Dr. Rakhshandeh. As the new Executive Director of the ECO Cultural Institute, what message do you have for the people of the ECO region?
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Greetings and respect, and my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to speak about the ECO Cultural Institute. I am honored and thankful to have been granted the privilege of serving in this important position, so that together with my esteemed colleagues, we may take steps toward deepening and expanding cultural ties and preserving the shared heritage of ECO member countries.
Undoubtedly, the ECO region contains a unique treasure of shared civilization, culture, art, and history. Preserving and safeguarding this valuable heritage is a serious and collective responsibility. This goal can only be achieved through empathy, synergy, and mutual consultation among ECO member states. Fortunately, the ECO Cultural Institute, as a dynamic and effective platform, has provided the ground for such cooperation and cultural convergence.
In a word, the noble aim of this Institute is to create a coherent network of communication among cultural centers, universities, libraries, and museums in order to protect the rich and magnificent heritage of the ECO region.
2. What is your vision for the ECO Cultural Institute during your tenure?
First, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all those who, since the establishment of the ECO Cultural Institute to the present day, have made tireless and sincere efforts toward advancing the noble goals of this institution and have each, according to their capacity, provided lasting contributions.
The vision of the ECO Cultural Institute, in line with its fundamental objectives, is focused on creating cultural integration across the ECO region and strengthening people-to-people and government-to-government relations. Achieving this goal requires active participation and a stronger presence of all members of the institute. Unfortunately, some countries in the ECO region are still not full members of this institution. However, efforts have been initiated to address this gap, and these efforts will be pursued with determination.
Certainly, just as in a family where all members work together in times of difficulty and prosperity, the ECO Cultural Institute, as a large family, hopes to one day see all countries of the ECO region fully present within this Institution, so that through synergy and cooperation, we may take firm steps toward the advancement of the rich cultural heritage of this region.
3. How do you define the role of culture in strengthening regional cooperation among ECO member states?
Shared culture and language have, like a strong thread, connected the peoples of the ECO region throughout centuries. Despite political, economic changes and shifting geographical borders, this unbreakable bond has been preserved.
Familiarity among different nations with each other’s knowledge, ideas, and thoughts leads to cultural enrichment and greater convergence. ECO countries, due to their shared cultural elements, possess an extraordinary capacity for cultural acceptance and synergy. These commonalities create a strong motivation to strengthen cultural ties, and the perception of people in each country toward others plays a decisive role in shaping leaders’ decisions regarding interstate relations.
In this regard, the role of the ECO Cultural Institute is extremely significant and valuable. This institute can act as a bridge of communication through cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and celebration of shared heritage, thereby strengthening bonds among members. This bridge, built on mutual respect, dialogue, and creativity, is capable of reinforcing the foundations of sustainable and peaceful cooperation in the region.
4. What are the key programs or initiatives the institute plans to prioritize in the coming months?
Thank God, since its establishment, the ECO Cultural Institute has implemented a variety of valuable programs, each of which has had positive and lasting impacts in its time. However, it seems that alongside continuing routine cultural and artistic activities, two fundamental areas must be emphasized: first, improving the quality of ongoing programs, and second, designing and planning initiatives that can create beneficial and sustainable outcomes for the future.
In this regard, initiatives such as establishing a union of elite cultural women of ECO member states, creating a comprehensive database of prominent cultural and artistic figures, proposing measures to facilitate tourism among ECO countries, and forming an association of writers from ECO member states are among the key and effective actions that can serve as efficient tools to provide a suitable platform for deeper understanding of cultures, traditions, and customs of countries. These programs, by creating opportunities for direct engagement with people and friendly interactions, help strengthen cultural ties.
From this perspective, cultural exchanges, as one of the main pillars of intercultural communication, play a central role in deepening and expanding relations among ECO countries and can lead to the strengthening of sustainable and peaceful cooperation.
5. Mr. Director, will you pursue a policy of expanding the ECO Cultural Institute?
Undoubtedly, as mentioned earlier, the beauty and grandeur of a family lie in the unity and full participation of all its members. The authority and development of the ECO Cultural Institute depend on the active participation and synergy of all member countries. Valuable efforts have already been made in this direction, and from now on, necessary consultations and actions will continue with determination so that, God willing, we may witness a more dynamic and effective presence of all member countries in the programs of this institute.
6. How does the ECO Cultural Institute intend to support artists, researchers, and cultural institutions across the region?
At the ECO Cultural Institute, we believe that artists, researchers, and cultural institutions are the main pillars of cultural diplomacy. In order to effectively benefit from this valuable capacity and provide proper support, the following key strategies are proposed:
- Establishing cooperation and cultural exchange networks among ECO member states to strengthen ties and synergy
- Providing research grants to support cultural and artistic studies in the region
- Organizing workshops, seminars, and specialized training courses in various cultural and artistic fields
- Creating internship and exchange opportunities for young artists and researchers
- Supporting the production of cultural and artistic works that reflect the shared identity and values of member countries
- Developing research projects aimed at deeper understanding and preservation of the region’s cultural heritage
- Collaborating with NGOs, universities, and cultural centers to implement joint projects
- Expanding digital platforms to introduce and promote artistic and research outputs of the ECO region
- Creating digital archives and shared databases to facilitate access to cultural resources
- Introducing the artistic and research achievements of the ECO region to global audiences
These approaches can serve as a roadmap to strengthen the role of the ECO Cultural Institute in cultural diplomacy and enhance the cultural standing of the region.
7. What is the role of modern technologies in the cultural strategy of the Institute?
Your reference to modern technologies is highly valuable and crucial. In today’s world, technology and culture are deeply interconnected, and their mutual influence is undeniable. Culture, like technology, is a dynamic and evolving concept that is constantly shaped by various factors, especially technological advancements. Artificial intelligence tools, with their ability to interact with humans, can absorb diverse cultural characteristics and contribute to enriching cultural diversity and its critical analysis at a global level.
In this regard, the ECO Cultural Institute should utilize modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence and digital platforms, to provide faster and easier access to cultural resources and activities for its audience. This not only helps promote the culture of the region but also enables more effective communication with the younger generation.
Youth, as the dynamic and future-building segment of ECO member states, play a central role in achieving cultural objectives. Unfortunately, the pressures of modern life and the attractiveness of virtual spaces sometimes distance them from the realities of the shared culture, traditions, and customs of the region. Therefore, the ECO Cultural Institute has a significant responsibility to design creative and engaging programs that encourage youth to actively participate in preserving and promoting shared cultural heritage. This can be achieved through interactive digital platforms, cultural events tailored to the interests of young people, and the use of artificial intelligence to introduce and teach regional culture in innovative and impactful ways.
Ultimately, the ECO Cultural Institute can, by strengthening the role of youth and making intelligent use of technology, not only help preserve and enhance the region’s cultural heritage but also foster cultural dynamism and synergy among member states.
8. How can cultural diplomacy build bridges between ECO member states, the international community, and NGOs?
Undoubtedly, cultural diplomacy, as one of the fundamental tools in international relations, plays a key role in strengthening ties among countries and diverse societies. ECO member states, with their unique cultural, historical, and linguistic diversity, possess great potential to use cultural diplomacy in order to enhance regional and international cooperation.
In summary, cultural diplomacy is a strong bridge connecting ECO member states with one another, with the global community, and with non-governmental organizations. This effective tool can provide a platform for sustainable cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding among nations, and promote regional development. The intelligent use of cultural capacities is not only a key to success in regional and global interactions but can also contribute to strengthening peace, integration, and shared progress in the ECO region.
9. What challenges does the ECO Cultural Institute face in promoting shared heritage, and how do you plan to address them? Will you cooperate with organizations such as UNESCO in this regard?
The ECO Cultural Institute, as a regional body, is tasked with the important mission of promoting and strengthening the cultural, artistic, historical heritage, and shared values of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). However, in pursuing its objectives, the institute faces several challenges, some of which are outlined below:
- Lack of financial and infrastructural resources
- Absence of knowledge and experience exchange networks among regional cultural elites
- Weakness in organizing programs to promote regional culture
- Insufficient synergy with other international and regional organizations
- Limited attention from the younger generation to the artistic heritage of the past
To overcome these challenges and strengthen the role of the ECO Cultural Institute, the following solutions are proposed:
- Establishing specialized cultural networks among experts from member states to enhance cooperation and exchange of knowledge and experience
- Organizing joint international events such as exhibitions, cultural weeks, and festivals to promote shared regional heritage
- Developing multilingual digital platforms for broader introduction and promotion of ECO cultural heritage
- Designing innovative educational programs to reinterpret and present traditional artistic heritage in the language of today’s generation
- Encouraging joint scientific research in the fields of history, art, language, and literature to deepen cultural understanding
- Seeking international support and expanding cooperation with institutions such as UNESCO and IRCICA to strengthen resources and increase program impact
These measures can serve as a roadmap for removing obstacles and enhancing the position of the ECO Cultural Institute in achieving its noble goals, while paving the way for sustainable and effective cultural cooperation in the region.
10. What motivated you to accept this responsibility, and what does cultural management mean to you personally?
Accepting responsibility at the ECO Cultural Institute is not merely an administrative position for me, but a valuable opportunity to serve a long-standing and precious heritage rooted in the deep history, culture, and civilization of nations whose destinies are intertwined. My motivation for accepting this responsibility is a deep belief in cultural bonds that transcend political borders, reflected in the poetry of Hafez and Khayyam, the magnificent architecture of Samarkand and Bukhara, maqam music, Persian and Turkish calligraphy, and the wisdom of the East.
With a transnational, impartial, and dialogue-based perspective, we will strive to transform the ECO Cultural Institute from a purely ceremonial body into a dynamic and effective organization—one that not only safeguards our shared heritage but also, by utilizing modern technologies, cultural diplomacy, and the participation of regional elites, conveys the voice of a living, diverse, and unifying culture of the ECO region to the world.
We believe that the ECO Cultural Institute is more than an Institution; it is a symbol of the shared destiny of nations that share a glorious past, a challenging present, and a hopeful future. With all our knowledge, capacity, and insight, we are committed to this mission so that the institute becomes a center for strengthening solidarity and cultural advancement in the region.
11. If you had to describe the ECO region in one word, what would it be and why?
The concept of “shared destiny” most accurately describes the ECO region—a region that symbolizes the deep connection of nations with a common past, similar challenges, and an intertwined future. Strengthening cultural, artistic, and historical cooperation in this region is, in fact, a process of rediscovering and reconstructing this historical and contemporary shared destiny. This convergence not only helps revive the shared identity of ECO nations but also lays the foundation for a brighter and more united future for all member states.
12. Do you have a final message for viewers and cultural partners of the ECO region?
In a world where borders are constantly shifting—both in geography and in culture and thought—the ECO Cultural Institute carries a great mission: to connect a glorious past with a shared future built on mutual respect, deep understanding, and cultural empathy.
The ECO region is a unique treasure of linguistic, artistic, and literary diversity; yet within this diversity lies a fundamental unity: unity in heritage, in values, in the aspiration for peace, and in the effort to build a more humane world. Therefore, I invite all scholars, professors, intellectuals, and valued audiences of the ECO Cultural Institute to join us on this difficult yet inspiring path of promoting cultural dialogue, preserving shared heritage, and empowering future generations to create a more connected world.
Let us, hand in hand, create a new chapter of regional cooperation,a chapter in which differences are not threats but opportunities, and culture is not a tool for division but a bridge for connection and solidarity.