The 800th anniversary of Mongolia

[naaya]

The Mongolian Embassy in London in collaboration with the All Party Parliamentary British-Mongolian Group and the University of Cambridge held on 15 March 2006 the celebration events for marking the 800th anniversary of Mongolian Statehood. The events had been attended by more than 80 British and Mongolian scholars, officials and other supporters of Mongolia.

Several speeches, addresses have been presented and artefacts and cultural performances have been shown.
There were several interesting presentations including by British Scholar, Dr. David Sneath’s “The Mongolian State - 800 years”, Senior Scientific Researcher of Mongolian Archaeology Institute, Academy of Science of Mongolia Dr. D Bayar’s “Fundamentals of the Mongolian Statehood in XIII century”, Prof. J Bat-Ireedui’s from British Library “Mongol Books in Britain”, Mr. O Batbayar’s “Legacy of Mongol Empire” and Mr. L Tur-Od “Mongolian Statehood Core: Great Yassa, Scripts and Coins”.

Extracts from the welcoming address of H.E. Mr. Davaasambuu, Mongolian Ambassador to the UK.

The unification of the Mongol tribes by Chinggis Khan in 1206 continues to be one of the main sources of national identity for Mongols ever since.

The 800th anniversary of Mongolian Statehood comes at a crucial time for our nation, who is working hard to consolidate the political and economic reforms initiated in 1990. Mongolia today is a democracy and a market economy.
Although the challenges we face today might be different from those of our ancestors of the 13th century, the idea of national unity that Mongolians associate with the year of the historic unification remains of a great value today.
Our country's double transition through its political and economic reforms is on track because all Mongols today stay united behind our democratic constitution and national identity.
Since 1990, there have been several changes of government, but the consensus for democracy and an open economy has not been broken. Our government believes that the anniversary celebrations will inspire our fellow Mongols and our friends and supporters abroad to continue their important work for that cause.

Our people and its government are also committed to increase their responsibilities and to create a valuable source of national pride.
The rise to power of Chinggis Khan had passed through many hardships and challenges.
Temuujin (Chinggis Khaan) first emerged the young son, who fought for protection of his family, then as a local tribal leader; thereafter as a unifier of the peoples of Asian Steppes and finally the Great Khan, and the World Conqueror.
Chinggis Khaan as an astute statesman established many important fundamentals for state crafting, such as sound administrative and management system, free trade, liberal taxation, religious tolerance and diplomatic immunities.

Some scholars identify Chinggis Khan and his horde’s unification and legacy with a kind of today’s globalization process in a sense of integration of different political, economic, religious and cultural systems and traditions.
On the other hand, there are various critics with regards to Chinggis Khan and his horde’s brutality, especially when treating their rivals.
In past, we Mongols ourselves went along with those critics and painted an overly negative image of the man and his successors.
However, we are encouraged with recent developments of a more objective reevaluation of Chinggis Khan and period of Mongol’s rule itself by Mongolian and international communities.

Mongols were made proud when the Chinggis Khan was voted the Man of the Millennium by the readers of Washington Post and The Times.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that the planned celebrations of 800th anniversary of Mongolian Statehood are well supported by the world community. The United Nation's General Assembly has passed a resolution on "800 years of Mongolian statehood", which welcomed the celebrations and called on the international society to take part in them.

The aim of today’s event is to discuss and to learn what our history tells about us today and to take the lessons for the future.
I am happy that here, we have some of the best-known scholars with us today. I am looking forward to hear their views on the positive and the negative aspects of the legacy of Chinggis Khan.
Also we are seeking your assistance in publicising and disseminating information about Mongolia, about the celebrations, history andculture to the outside world.
And I pleased to express my appreciation to all you who came today for your interest in, contribution and support for the anniversary celebrations of foundation of Great Mongol Empire.
I am also delighted to convey to you and to the event the best wishes of those scholars including famous Mongolists like Emeritus Professor Charles Bawden and Professor Onon Urgunge, who couldn’t come.

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Science, Research Work
Mongolia has a tradition of respect for knowledge and wisdom. In great Chinggis Khaan's times, people with knowledge and experience were summoned in "The counsel of sages". It was highly respected for its assistance in state management and conduct of domestic and foreign policies. Besides, the members of this group were ranked according to their functions, for instance, there were people, whose duty was to write down the Khaan's orders or to announce them to people. Later, in 1264, Chinggis’s grandson Khubilai Khaan, founded the so-called "Institute of learned scholars", by which the concept of "Academy" was given to the world. Here, all the wise with their own specific tasks and duties would be ranked and named.

In 1921, "The Literary Committee" was established. It was the predecessor of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS), which was born in 1961. Until the end of 20th century the Academy existed and worked within the standards of similar organizations of the former USSR

Science entered into the 21st century realizing the speed of world scientific and technological development was high, and that new external conditions were coming into force. Over the past 80 years, Mongolian geologists have confirmed that Mongolia has over 80 kinds of mineral resources. Many geological, geotectonic and hydro geological maps have been produced. Classification, analyses, location, development, and history of the main periods of the organic world over 700 million years have been made. Maps for seismic activities location and a net of earthquake occurrence have been made.

Theoretical research into physical mathematics, nuclear and space physics, biophysics and observation of latitude and longitude have been made. One hundred nineteen new and previously unknown medicinal plants have been discovered.

A catalogue of Mongolian mammals, birds and fish and about 9000 insects has been made. The Mongolian Academy of Sciences also released a Mongolian National Atlas and the Mongolian Red Book. A five-volume book on Mongolian history has been published. Mongolian archaeologists have been successful in their discoveries of archaeological treasures. Modern branches of medicine, such as space and human genetics have been newly developed. The Mongol gene pool has been studied and a new human gene has been discovered. This success has been registered by the World Health Organization.

Today, external relations and cooperation with Mongolian science are expanding. Mongolia now cooperates with science and academic organizations in 20 countries such as the USA , Russia , Britain , China , Germany and Korea .

Since 1998, the Mongolian Parliament has been developing its own policy towards science by approving and implementing the Laws on Science and Technology, Law on Transfer of Technology. In addition, it created a legal framework for the activities of scientific organizations.

At present, the MAS has 49 scientific organizations, which consist of 5 technological sciences', 3 natural sciences', 5 agricultural sciences, 4 medical sciences', 15 social sciences institutions and centers, as well as 10 research, experimental and production corporations. About 4254 researchers work in these organizations. There are about 800 scholars including 200 doctors of science.

Mongolian scholars have achieved a big success in studying its history, language and culture, identifying peculiarities of its nature and climate and investigating natural resource of the country, as well as in bringing new types of plants and new breeds of animals, diagnosing, treating preventing different kinds of human animal diseases.

In 2002 based on the Science, Technology and Information Corporation a Technological National park founded with the purpose of giving support to high technology development, making business more profitable and creating a Sciences Support Fund.

The Mongolian Government in 2000 started the implementation of a 10-year National program to develop science and technology, and capacity building, to increase the researches, scientific workers' creations and inventions' evaluation, deepen market relations in this field, introduce the results of applied sciences into production and improve the structure. By doing so, the Academy will have a sustainable finance system.