THE BORDER REGION IN THE CONTEXT OF EURASIAN COOPERATION (EXAMPLE OF ORENBURG REGION)

Abstract

The article considers integration processes in the Eurasian space, in particular – the development of economic, environmental, cultural, scientific and educational relations between the border regions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the example of the Orenburg oblast of Russia. It is noted that cooperation with transboundary neighbours is based on the agreements between the border regions on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation concluded in the first post-Soviet decades. There is a description of a number of joint projects being implemented by the border regions. The author analyzes activities of educational and scientific institutions and public organizations in enhancing humanitarian cooperation between the regions of the two countries. Particular attention is paid to the Orenburg State University and the autonomous non-profit organization “Commonwealth of Eurasian Nations”. In addition, the article highlights educational migration to the Orenburg region, including factors contributing to its increase (opportunities for free education, social guarantees, etc.). The article discusses positive practices of cooperation between higher education institutions in the region and higher education institutions in neighbouring regions on the preservation of historical memory, as well as the prospects of cooperation between scholars of the two countries in the study of common history. New practices in work with young people are described (organization of International Russian-Kazakh Schools of Young Historians, Archaeologists and Ethnologists).