Lena SERGIENKO Leading Researcher, RAN Institute of State and Law, Ph.D. (Law) Russia's key priorities during its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May-November 2006 are united under a general motto "Toward united Europe without dividing lines". These activities focus on strengthening tolerance and mutual understanding in relations between people, expanding and improving cooperation in the field of culture, education, science and sports, encouraging youth exchanges.1 Culture is a "Way of Living Together" This definition of culture was given in UNESCO's Universal Declaration of 2001. One of the major features of the present time is formation and development of the information society, based on the economy of knowledge, which means paramount стр. 181 importance of human capital. Modern economic growth is primarily ensured by investments in knowledge which are growing faster than investments in capital assets. In this situation, the unity of the triad "education - science -culture" remains unchanged, with culture largely determining the sphere of application of knowledge and scientific achievements, as well as the opportunities for using information technologies, the key factor of modern economic growth. According to UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted in 2001, the concept of "culture", in addition to art and literature, also encompasses lifestyles, "ways of living together", value systems, traditions and beliefs.2 The CE Committee of Ministers Declaration "On cultural diversity", adopted on 7 December 2000, specifies three aspects of cultural diversity: 1. Co-existence and exchange of culturally different practices (customs), provision and consumption of culturally different services and products; 2. Cultural diversity cannot be expressed without conditions for free creative expression and freedom of information in all ... Читать далее