Social and Humanitarian Dimension of Twinning Relations of the Cities of the Arkhangelsk Region between 1988–2023

Abstract

The article analyses socio-humanitarian international cooperation, known as "twinning," among cities in the Arkhangelsk region spanning from 1988 to 2023. Leveraging the concept of paradiplomacy, the authors examine twinning relations, highlighting key stages, forms, and spheres of this international cooperation using the comparative historical method. By employing the problem-chronological method, the authors trace the formation and changes in these relations. The study utilizes the system-structural method to analyse the socio-humanitarian dimension. The article establishes that twinning cooperation promotes mutual understanding and trust, establishing socio-economic and humanitarian ties, and acts as one of the drivers for developing these cities. Nonetheless, the authors note that the twinning relations of the Arkhangelsk region are facing a crisis due to the impact of COVID-19, the special military operation, and the sanctions against Russia.