At the National Patriotic Forum in Moscow, Associate Professor of Marketing, Inga Koryagina, captured international attention with the presentation of an innovative “dialogue-network” model of public diplomacy, an approach she described as a practical, bottom-up alternative to traditional state-driven diplomatic outreach.
Koryagina delivered her pitch during the session titled “Experience in Implementing International Projects and Developing Youth Communities,” where she introduced what she called a “diplomatic startup”, a grassroots framework built on trust, collaboration, and shared interests.
Speaking to a diverse multinational audience, she emphasized that modern diplomacy must move beyond one-way communication.
“Communication used to often be a monologue. Our approach is about dialogue and network,” Koryagina noted. “We don’t broadcast; we listen and connect. The goal is not to talk about ourselves, but to find a point where interests and capabilities overlap. This creates a living, self-developing network.”
Koryagina’s model proposes a set of actionable tools designed to foster durable, mutually beneficial partnerships:
Personal Navigation (“Tochka Sborni” / “Assembly Point”) – A concierge-style mechanism that provides personalized support for international partners, helping them navigate business inquiries and access the right experts and resources.
On-Demand Educational Modules – Tailored lectures and workshops for foreign universities based on their specific academic needs, often evolving into deeper project collaborations.
Facilitating Authentic Stories – Coordinating with international media to highlight real, ground-level cooperation and breakthrough initiatives, shifting attention away from generic geopolitical messaging.
Koryagina, the strength of the dialogue-network model lies in its ability to organically build international communities rooted in concrete joint projects rather than formal agreements alone. The approach has already connected over 100 international participants across regions including:
Abkhazia, Latin America (Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela), Iran, CIS countries (Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan), Moldova, Jordan, the Netherlands, Italy, and South Africa.
Positioned at the intersection of business, education, and culture, the diplomatic startup model seeks to offer a responsive, pragmatic, and human-centered alternative to conventional diplomacy.
By placing collaboration before messaging, and dialogue before posture, Koryagina argues that nations and institutions can build stronger, more sustainable ties in an increasingly complex world.
Her presentation drew positive reactions from delegates, signaling growing interest in diplomatic models that prioritize connectivity, authenticity, and shared value.
