"The world is fragile, and its preservation is our shared responsibility": Lessons of World War II discussed at Far Eastern Federal University

On the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Lessons of the Great Patriotic War and World War II: Dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory." The event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of Asia from fascism and militarism, bringing together leading historians, politicians, and public figures from Russia and countries of the Asia-Pacific Region (APAC). The conference was organized by FEFU, the Russian Historical Society, the Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IHAE FEB RAS), and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IOS RAS), with the support of the History of the Fatherland Foundation.

FEFU Vice President for International Relations Evgeny Vlasov opened the conference by emphasizing the symbolic significance of holding this milestone event within the university's walls. He noted that for 125 years FEFU has served as a bridge between Russia and Asia, and the presence of guests from Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and Mongolia on campus demonstrates that the memory of war knows no borders. Evgeny Vlasov highlighted the university's historical contribution, pointing out that during the war years – then still known as the Far Eastern Polytechnic Institute – it was a training hub for home front personnel, while its professors and students volunteered for the frontline duty.

"We remember that the USSR helped regain freedom for the peoples of Asia. It was Soviet soldiers, standing shoulder to shoulder with local patriots, who returned freedom to 11 states in the region and gave a new life to more than 113 million people. And today, 80 years later, our main objective is to ensure that the awareness of the tragedy and lessons of World War II stop being an abstract notion for younger generations, and instead becomes a deeply personal and meaningful experience grounded in historical truth and respect for the past. The world is fragile, and its preservation is our shared responsibility," emphasized Evgeny Vlasov, Vice President for International Relations at FEFU.

Other key speakers also joined the discussion. Sergey Naryshkin, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society, emphasized the importance of international academic dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region on the subject of World War II. He also highlighted the fundamental role of academic research in countering the falsification of history.

"Memory of the events of World War II can serve as a firm foundation for international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia and China, having endured unprecedented hardships during those years in defending their independence, are now jointly resisting attempts to rehabilitate Nazism and militarism in the region. By relying on our shared historical experience, we consistently advocate for preserving the historical memory of the Great Victory as a common value for all of humanity. I am confident that the upcoming discussion, involving historians from several friendly Asia-Pacific countries, will make a significant contribution to understanding events from eighty years ago, help bring national research approaches closer together, and assist in drawing relevant historical lessons," believes Sergey Naryshkin.

Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, spoke about the social, political, and scientific relevance of the topic of World War II.

"Each year, the Eastern Economic Forum enables leading Russian historians and orientalists to share the results of their research with foreign colleagues, exchange opinions, and establish new contacts. We assume that such joint appeal to historical experience contributes to more productive discussions of current political and economic issues and helps draw relevant lessons from the past.

Universities and specialized research organizations under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education are making significant efforts to study the history of World War II. Previously unknown archival sources are still being introduced into scholarly discourse each year, and new research methods continue to emerge, broadening horizons for further study of this crucial historical period," stated Konstantin Mogilevsky.

"The Manchurian offensive operation under the brilliant leadership of Marshal of the Soviet Union Alexander Vasilevsky brought an end to the militarist occupation of the peoples of Asia. Thanks to the Great Victory, the peoples of the world entered a new era in their history, many Asian nations gained independence, strengthened their international status, and embarked on the path of social progress. This is one of the most significant political outcomes of World War II, which is why this victory is precious and invaluable to all of us. Scholars from different countries should continue researching this topic, confronting distortions of historical truth and standing firm against any attempts to falsify the history of World War II," said Demberel Sodnomsambuu, President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

The conference included two thematic sessions: "Military Operations in the Pacific Theater" and "Outcomes and Lessons of World War II". During the sessions, experts discussed the strategic cooperation among the Allies, the Soviet Union's contribution to victory in the Far East, the origins of Japanese militarism, and the issue of historical revisionism in some Asian countries. A key higlight was the opening of the historical and documentary exhibition "Lessons of the Great Patriotic War and World War II: Dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory," organized by the Russian Historical Society, the Federal Archival Agency, and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The fact that this conference is held at FEFU emphasizes the university’s special role not only as an educational and scientific center, but also as a key guardian of historical memory in Russia’s Far East. By preserving the truth about the immense sacrifice of the Soviet people and their allies, the university serves as an important bridge between generations and cultures, actively engaging youth from Russia and the Asia-Pacific countries in articipating in joint projects about their shared historical past. This work contributes to strengthening international cooperation and serves as a reminder that the lessons of the past must be learned in the name of a peaceful future.

It should be noted that the Far Eastern Federal University is systematically strengthening its international ties, reinforcing its status as a leader of Russian education abroad and an expert hub for Russia's cooperation with Asia. In terms of the number of international students, FEFU is the absolute leader among universities of the Far Eastern Federal District. Today, 5,000 foreign citizens are studying on campus in Vladivostok, and by 2036 the university plans to reach a new milestone – 8,000 international students. Over its 125-year history, FEFU has developed an extensive network of partners across the APAC, including more than 200 foreign universities and research centers. A key instrument of FEFU’s international activities is its network of overseas representative offices. The university has already opened four international offices in Hanoi (Vietnam), Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), and New Delhi (India). FEFU also operates a branch campus in Japan and 15 Centers for Russian Language and Culture in China.