ABSTRACT
The chapter is devoted to humanitarian cooperation within the framework of the SCO, that is, achievements, problems and perspectives. It analyses instruments and mechanisms of work in fields as such culture, education and public health service. The study reveals the main factors that restrain efficient cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, intercultural dialogue, and the development of common educational space. The chapter focuses on the main humanitarian project - the USCO, for example, the main stages of University development, its regulatory and organizational bases, and educational trajectories; quantitative analysis on student exchange is also included. The reasons preventing the USCO from transforming into a full-fledged university are analysed. The research has found that the most stable and efficient directions have been cultural exchanges and the USCO. Humanitarian collaboration spheres such as health care, tourism and mass media have developed discretely and unevenly. The study concludes that the SCO has failed to create special structures which could become agents of its soft power in the international arena.
