On December 15, 2023, the final event of the Africa Week—Samara Inter-University Model of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State—was held at The Regional Centre for the Development of Public Diplomacy and International Relations named after Yevgeniy M. Primakov. Students from Samara University, as well as students from other universities and high school students from the Samara region participated in the event.
Addressing the students, Mikhail Leonov, the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Youth Work, highlighted the importance of developing a model movement at Samara University. During his speech, Alexander Polyakov, Deputy Director of the Africa Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted,
“In recent years, Russian-African relations have moved to a new level. It is often said, “Russia is returning to Africa.” This is not entirely true. Firstly, it has never really left there, and secondly, this sense of “I will come, I will leave” is not entirely accurate! The process is two-sided. The mutual attraction between Russia and Africa is growing”
At present, particular attention is focused on developing bilateral contacts in the field of education and science. Evgeny Terekhin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the African Union, emphasized,
“Events of this format and similar ones contribute to the education of a new generation of Russian specialists in international relations, regional specialists, international economists, legal specialists, and experts in culture and many more fields. We need new forces; we need new ideas”
Aleksey Chupakhin, the Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Samara, mentioned that African countries are currently far from the stereotypical thinking that exists about them. In connection with this, there is a need to activate cooperation through the conduct of such business games and conferences.
The event took place in an atmosphere of friendly and intense competition among the delegations for the opportunity to include a specific unique approach in the Final Resolution regarding African Union issues. Participants demonstrated deep knowledge of the agenda topic, particularly regarding Counteracting terrorism and the activities of terrorist organizations in African Union countries. Attendees immersed themselves in the roles of their respective countries and defended their positions on this crucial issue to the end.
Additionally, during informal debates without a leadership position, the delegates proved themselves as true diplomats. Active discussions and, at times, heated debates were heard everywhere—in the corridors and in the auditorium. Ultimately, this resulted in a well-defined vision for resolving the issue that participants and organizers observed in three projects comprising the Final Resolution.
Particular mention should be given to the work of the delegates who were rewarded for victory in three nominations:
• Best Delegate of the Samara Inter-University Model of the African Union— Ivan Sivkov, a student of Samara University!
• Best Delegate defending the position of their country— Vladislav Stepanov, a student of Samara branch of the State Autonomous educational institution of Moscow “Moscow city university”!
• Best Orator— Baytur Kuduev, a student of the MBEI ‘Yaktylyk'”.
Additionally, during the award ceremony, commemorative prizes were presented to:
The winner of the quiz on the agenda of the Samara Inter-University Model of the African Union – Viktor Penkin;
The most active representatives of teams participating in debates in English within the framework of the “Unitis” club meeting on December 13, 2023 – Ivan Sivkov and Andrey Chistyakov.
The Regional Centre for the Development of Public Diplomacy and International Relations named after Yevgeniy M. Primakov congratulates all the participants of the Model on its successful implementation and is looking forward to meeting them again at future events!
Photo: Dariya Yurlova, Dariya Trozkaya.
