Scholars from 25 countries gathered at Moscow State University for the International Scientific and Practical Conference, “Russia, Brazil, and Africa: Strengthening Cooperation of the Global South.” The hybrid event, hosted by the university, drew more than 110 participants.
During the opening ceremony, Aleksander Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club at Moscow State University, highlighted the institution’s commitment to preserving historical memory. He cited the planned 2024 installation of a Moscow monument dedicated to Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa (1994-1999) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as an example, according to TV BRICS.
Roberto de Andrade Medronho, Rector of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, stated in his welcoming remarks that “Russia, Brazil, and Africa have successfully fostered cooperation within BRICS and across the broader Global South.” His colleague, Vice-Rector Papa Matar Ndiaye, invited all conference attendees to the BRICS Universities Forum, scheduled to be held in Brazil in 2025.
Professor Hisham Mohamed Abdelsalam, President of the Egyptian E-learning University, underscored the long-standing relationship between Moscow and Cairo and emphasised Egypt’s contribution to educational development throughout Africa.
Yiheyis Aregu, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Debre Markos University in Ethiopia, noted Russia’s crucial role in establishing Ethiopia’s educational infrastructure, stating that “the people of the republic remain deeply grateful for this support.”
Following the opening ceremony, a plenary session began with a keynote address by Askar Akayev, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, professor at Moscow State University, and former President of Kyrgyzstan (1991-2005). He emphasised that “BRICS contributes to civilisational progress and that cooperation within the group helps member countries tackle global challenges.”
Professor Rasigan Maharajh, Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation at Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa), observed that “BRICS+ represents 64 per cent of the world’s population, making collective solutions to global issues imperative.” Raymond Nkwenti Fru, Senior Lecturer at Sol Plaatje University (South Africa), highlighted the importance of Africa’s independent development within a multipolar world.
The conference concluded with a youth session, “The Tribune of Young Scientist,” where researchers from Russia, Brazil, and Africa presented their studies and ideas.
The event was organised by the Faculty of Global Studies of Moscow State University, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the Russian-African Network University, the Russian-African Club of Moscow State University, and the International Club for Russian-Latin American Studies at Moscow State University.
