On Saturday, April 19th and Sunday, April 20th, Prof. Irina Kostina hosted The Caucasus: A Mosaic of Histories and Cultures, an on-line conference that explored the Caucasus region. This is a region of profound historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance that remains underrepresented in academic, public discourse. The Caucasus is the most conflict-ridden territory in Russia, which follows its own laws, gradually separating and freeing itself from Russian influence in terms of mentality, civil rights, values, and cultures.

This conference helped to understand contemporary issues from an internaional or global perspective outside of the United States by focusing on issues such as territorial conflicts, social and human rights problems, environmental problems, and the strong influence of Islam.

The conference fostered cross-cultural dialogue and understanding between the University of Iowa community and the best representatives of the Caucasus region.