Education has always been one of the major avenues of cooperation between Russia and African countries. Particular focus has been given to the development of bilateral agreements at government level, as they seem to be more official and are more renowned due to the participation of high-level statesmen.
However, a key role in this development is also being played by the Russian and African students themselves. Their initiatives promote cooperation not only at a governmental level, but also at a community and personal level.
The international forum «Russia-Africa: What’s Next?», organized by the students of Russian MGIMO University, serves as a vivid example of just this type of cooperation.
The forum is an initiative by young researchers who are in love with Africa.
Igor Tkachenko, Chairman of the student secretariat
The main goal of the forum is to create a platform for dialogue between Russian and African students, allowing them to discuss overall development and specific projects they could take part in and help them to unleash their potential. The participants will have an opportunity to meet with leading politicians, diplomats and economists of Russia and African countries. Thus, the younger generation will be able to form their own understanding of the problems concerning Russia-Africa relations and its future outlook.
Among the forum’s experts are Elsa Pinto, Foreign Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Endale Nigussie, professor and Head of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations of the Ethiopian Civil Service University, Igor Morozov, Chairman of Afrocom, Oleg Ozerov, Ambassador-at-Large and Head of the Secretariat of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, and others.
The forum will take place in Moscow, October 20-24.