On 4 July, 40 teachers and students from the School of Asian Studies at the Higher School of Economics in Russia visited the SCO Secretariat and attended a lecture delivered by Vladimir Zakharov, SCO Secretariat Advisor, on the SCO's history, establishing principles, fields of cooperation as well as the prospects for the development of the Organisation.
In the course of an animated discussion the students were given answers to their questions regarding the staffing of the SCO's permanent bodies, the principles of reaching consensus in decision-making and drafting documents, practical content of cooperation in politics, security, trade, the economy as well as the humanitarian sphere.
They also touched upon such topics as the further expansion of the SCO, its position when it comes to pressing issues relating to international politics, plus prospects of cooperation in the fields of education, health care, culture and tourism.
The visitors expressed their interest in maintaining contact between the SCO Secretariat and the School's students as well as in arranging future internships at the SCO permanent bodies.