The BRICS+ youth forum on sports diplomacy at RUDN University
The forum brought together more than 100 people from 40 countries — Great Britain, Canada, Estonia, as well as Benin, Cameroon and Serbia. Experts named e-sports as one of the new tools of sports diplomacy as a way to develop international relations
RUDN University, ANO “Commonwealth of Sports Diplomacy” and the “Russia — BRICS” Project Office for International Youth Cooperation also signed cooperation agreements. Yulia Ebzeeva, First Vice-Rector — Vice-Rector for education, proposed making the forum an annual event at the university site.
The forum ended with a sports program. Irina Lis, leader of the physical culture and sports committee of the Ivolga Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, showed physical exercises to the participants. RUDN University cheerleading team, students of the “Alyans” karate club, Sambo wrestlers of the Sambo-70 educational center and capoeira (a martial art that combines elements of dance and acrobatics) athletes performed various numbers.
The forum was organized with the support of the Commonwealth of Sports Diplomacy, the “Russia-BRICS” Project Office for International Youth Cooperation, the “Rossiya” Sports Society, the Agency for Strategic Sports Initiatives and the “Battle for Science” project.
The number of foreign ambassadors of Russian education and science has reached 47. In October 2026, 12 more teachers, scientists, and public figures received this honorary status - from Brazil, Israel, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, China, Lebanon, Moldova, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru, Syria, and the Central African Republic. Five of them studied at Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.
Last week, RUDN University welcomed a delegation led by Gao Song, President of Peking University. The visit marked his first international trip since assuming office as the rector of the university, which ranks 13th globally.
In RUDN’s main building, Russian speech has mixed with Arabic and strict business suits with national attire. The reason for this is the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The university hosted a large-scale event “The Century of Friendship, Cultural and Scientific Exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation”, which brought together diplomats, scientists, rectors of leading universities, and students.