11th International Mongolian Studies Conference held in Washington

The Mongol Messenger
baljmaa@montsame.mn
2017-02-05 17:04:55

On January 27-28, the 11th International Mongolian Studies Conference was held at the Embassy of Mongolia and at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, USA.

Over 80 Mongolists from the United States, People’s Republic of China, and Russian Federation, former US Ambassadors to Mongolia and Mongolian nationals residing in the United States participated in the conference which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the United States. 

Moreover, with the very first live broadcasting of the conference on internet, many Mongolians and those who are interested in Mongolian studies worldwide, were able to watch the conference online.

Ambassador Altangerel Bulgaa, Ms. Susan Thornton, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of State, Dr. Saruul-Erdene Myagmar, President of the Mongolian Cultural Center gave opening remarks.  Ambassador of Mongolia to the US, Altangerel Bulgaa stated in his remark that “Not only has the three decades of cooperation broadened in many areas, including politics, commerce, defense, education and culture, but also in mutual support in the international arena, which satisfies me”.  He also expressed his view that the conference has been playing an essential role in promoting Mongolia's rich history, language, culture and traditions throughout the United States as well as deepening a mutual understanding and friendship between the people.

The first day of the conference touched on theme "Mongolia and the United States relations”.  Presentations on '30 years of United States-Mongolia relations-Trends' by Dr. Alicia Campi, 'The Significance of Mongolia’s Third Neighbor Foreign Policy' by Bolor Lkhaajav (University of San Francisco) and 'Contributions of Buddhist Monks for the Mongolia-United States Relations' by Mr.Luvsanjamts Davaanyam (Gandantegchilen Monastery) were made at the Embassy of Mongolia. 

Then, the conference continued at the Library of Congress where Ambassador Altangerel Bulgaa gave a comprehensive speech on 'Mongolia and United States Relations in 30 Years', while Professor John W. Williams from Principia College delivered the keynote speech on 'The First Draft of History Has a Poor Memory: The Dilowa Khutugtu in American Journalism'.

Mongol-American Cultural Association

During the second panel of the conference held on January 28, topics such as Mongolian history, archeology, Mongolian community in the United States, philology were discussed.  “Exploring the Significance of Values-Based Leadership Development in Mongolian Higher Education” by Ms. Alimaa Jamiyansuren (Pelegrine Academic Services), “Category of Unpleasantness’ in Mongolian Language' by Dr. Saruul-Erdene Myagmar (Mongolian Cultural Center), 'The Use of Information by Mongolians in the United States' by Dr.Ya.Borchuluun, 'Between Communist Doctrine and Nationalist Agendas: Writing Reform in Inner Mongolia, 1954-1980' by Dr. Anran Wang (Cornell University), 'Ts.Damdinsuren and Mongolian Literature Studies in the 20th Century' by Dr. Wang Hao (Peking University), 'The Buryat Literature in the Context of Literary Process in the Beginning of the XXI Century' by Dr. Larisa Khalkharova (Buryat State University), 'A Tomb in Bayannuur' by Dr. Nancy Steinhardt (University of Pennsylvania), 'New Scenes from the Xiongnu Times: The Khawtsgait Petroglyphs' by Dr. Christopher Atwood (University of Pennsylvania) and 'Erdenetogtokh and Some Research on Modern Mongolian Language' by Dr. Khishigtogtokh (National Central University of China) were the presentations discussed and draw attention of the participants. 

Within the framework of the conference, artist Tsolmon Damba displayed her exhibition ‘Blue eyes of cosmos’ at the embassy and also demonstrated her drawing/painting skills at the site.  She is one of the founders of the Mongolian Cultural Center and has been promoting Mongolian fine art in the US for many years.  Previously, she demonstrated the drawing/painting skill show in the National Museum of Natural History and Freer Gallery of Art of USA.

The Mongolian Cultural Center, which is a non-profit organization established in 2007, has been promoting Mongolian language, culture in the United States and developing Mongolian studies through its activities such as organizing the annual Mongolian Studies Conference, involving Mongolian researchers in international conferences, providing U.S. schools and institutes with Mongolian cultural lectures in English, organizing Mongolian band concerts, and conducting a Mongolian language summer camp school.

Images copyright Altongerel Dagvasambuu

The article is featured in the Mongol Messenger's issue No.5 for February 3.