About the forum "Russia — Africa: What's next?"
The idea of organizing the First International Youth Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?" is based on the growing interest towards the African continent in many areas in Russian society, especially among students.
Against this background, there is still an insufficient level of awareness of Russian students in the field of African problems in various sectors: our young people are not very well acquainted with the life of Africa, not sufficiently immersed in its reality.
Against this background, there is still an insufficient level of awareness of Russian students in the field of African problems in various sectors: our young people are not very well acquainted with the life of Africa, not sufficiently immersed in its reality.
We are sure that the fruitful development of Russian-African relations in the long term is unthinkable when the younger generation does not really have a comprehensive and objective vision of the entire spectrum of African problems. It was for this reason that the idea arose to organize an event where representatives of the young generation of Russian Africanists, and moreover, all students interested in Africa could learn about what Africa is and how Africans live, as they say, "firsthand".
German Ivanovsky
Head of the Department for Relations with Partners of the Secretariat of the First International Forum "Russia — Africa: What's Next?" on the basis of MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia
Russia is currently trying to develop relations with African countries with renewed vigor. Economic, humanitarian, technical, and social ties are being strengthened. At the first ever Russia — Africa summit which took place in Sochi in October, 2019 President of the Russian Federation V. V. Putin proclaimed a course towards the all-round development of the Russian-African cooperation in all fields.
Unfortunately, in the course of past history, Russia encountered internal difficulties due to which African politics was relegated to the background. Some experts even said that Russia "left" Africa. If we agree with this then today we can say with confidence that Russia is returning to Africa.
However, to this day in Russian society there is a certain "gap" remaining in the study of Africa. In our opinion, there is still a lot of work to be done before it can be said that Russian students have a clear, systematic and independent vision of Africa — its problems, needs and opportunities, its past and present, its hopes and aspirations.
The First International Youth Forum «Russia-Africa: What's Next?» should become a platform where representatives of Russian students interested in Africa can meet representatives of the African youth and form an independent and objective view of Africa and Africans.
Unfortunately, in the course of past history, Russia encountered internal difficulties due to which African politics was relegated to the background. Some experts even said that Russia "left" Africa. If we agree with this then today we can say with confidence that Russia is returning to Africa.
However, to this day in Russian society there is a certain "gap" remaining in the study of Africa. In our opinion, there is still a lot of work to be done before it can be said that Russian students have a clear, systematic and independent vision of Africa — its problems, needs and opportunities, its past and present, its hopes and aspirations.
The First International Youth Forum «Russia-Africa: What's Next?» should become a platform where representatives of Russian students interested in Africa can meet representatives of the African youth and form an independent and objective view of Africa and Africans.
Such a close acquaintance between young Russians and Africans in the informal atmosphere of the youth forum can become a guarantee of strengthening relations between our countries in future. After all, it is those who are now "behind the university bench" that in 20–30 years will be at the helm of Russia and Africa and from them future of Russian-African relations will also depend.
In addition to live contact between representatives of the Russian and African students, it is planned to invite representatives of the African political, diplomatic, economic, and scientific elite to the Forum. These people should give our future specialists a more objective view of the real situation in Africa and our bilateral relations. Based on this experience, young Africanists will be able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of problems and challenges that we face in this area and will be able to offer more effective solutions in future.
In addition to live contact between representatives of the Russian and African students, it is planned to invite representatives of the African political, diplomatic, economic, and scientific elite to the Forum. These people should give our future specialists a more objective view of the real situation in Africa and our bilateral relations. Based on this experience, young Africanists will be able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of problems and challenges that we face in this area and will be able to offer more effective solutions in future.
German Ivanovsky
Head of the Department for Relations with Partners of the Secretariat of the First International Forum "Russia — Africa: What's Next?" on the basis of MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia