Russia and Africa: Heritage of the Past, Opportunities of the Present, Prospects for the Future. In Honor of the 100th Anniversary of Patrice Lumumba
The purpose of the conference was to analyze the best practices of cooperation between African countries and Russia, highlight key achievements, problems and prospects of partnership, and create a platform for dialogue and exchange of experience.
The conference focused on key areas of historical, economic, political, cultural, and scientific collaboration, addressing both longstanding ties and future prospects.
Key Topics Discussed
- Historical ties between Russia and Africa from the colonial era to the present
- New challenges and opportunities in economic and political cooperation
- Development of cultural and scientific exchange
- Prospects for partnership in education, technology, and sustainable development
- Strengthening the role of youth and civil society in Russian–African relations
Conference Program Highlights
The conference opened at 15:00 (Moscow Standard Time).
- Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University, delivered the opening report, emphasizing the university’s long-standing mission of fostering international dialogue and training specialists for African countries.
- Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented on “Russia—Africa: Partnership and Cooperation,” outlining current foreign policy priorities and new opportunities for joint initiatives.
- Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), discussed “Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Patrice Émery Lumumba,” highlighting Africa’s social, political, and economic transformations.
- Juliana Lumumba, daughter of Patrice Lumumba and former Minister of Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, presented on “Patrice Lumumba’s Legacy for Humanity,” reflecting on her father’s historic role and the continuing relevance of his ideals.
- Andrey Maslov, Director of the HSE Center for African Studies, presented a report on “The Demand for Russian Competencies in the Field of Public Administration in Africa.”
- Bakupa-Kanyinda Balufu, Director of the Center for Culture and Art for Central African Countries, explored the cultural dimension of cooperation in his talk “Russia and Africa: Legacy of the Past, Opportunities of the Present, Prospects for the Future.”
The event concluded with remarks by RT CEO Alexey Nikolov and the film’s screenwriter Elena Norkunaite, who introduced the premiere of a new RT documentary dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Patrice Lumumba.
The film highlights Lumumba’s historical importance and the development of contemporary Russian–African partnership. Guests were able to view the premiere.
The conference reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Russia and African nations to deepen cooperation across multiple fields, including education, public administration, culture, and sustainable development.
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The first research and practical conference ‘Functional Morphology of the Tissue Microenvironment: From Theory to Practice’, dedicated to the memory of Academician Mikhail Paltsev of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was held at RUDN. It brought together leading researchers from Russia, China and other countries.
The Skolkovo Foundation (VEB.RF), together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and the country’s leading industrial companies, announced the launch of the sixth cycle of Russia’s largest supplier ecosystem development program for industry, GreenTech Sustainable Development. Applications from developers of technological solutions will be accepted until October 20, 2025.
In November, RUDN University hosted the country's first scientific and practical conference, “Clinical Laser Medicine in Russia: Advanced Technologies”. The event brought together specialists from various fields of medicine and biophotonics. It was attended by more than 300 scientists, researchers, and practicing doctors of various specialties from Russia and 32 foreign countries involved in laser technologies, as well as over 650 representatives of the younger generation—students, interns, graduate students, and young scientists.