New Goodwill Ambassadors of the Russia–Africa Club at Lomonosov Moscow State University
STAFF WRITER
MOSCOW – The First Congress of Ambassadors of the Russia -Africa Club at Lomonosov Moscow State University took place in Moscow on June 29. The event was organized by the Russia -Africa Club at Lomonosov Moscow State University with the support of the Secretariat of the Russia – Africa Partnership Forum, the Faculty of Global Studies of Lomonosov MSU, and the Public Diplomacy Foundation.
The Congress brought together over 150 participants: students from Africa and other countries, experts in journalism, geopolitics, and sociology, public figures, representatives of African embassies and diasporas, and media outlets.
The main goal of the Congress was to establish a platform for public diplomacy, enabling motivated and engaged African students to become “goodwill ambassadors” who will promote the Club’s values and initiatives. These ambassadors will share their personal experiences, insights into the application and education processes in Russian and African universities, and contribute to awareness-building and educational outreach.
An ambassador is a representative of the Russia–Africa Club at Lomonosov MSU whose core mission is to publicly advocate for the Club’s goals and values – among friends, at their universities, and in their home countries.
As cultural experts, ambassadors from African countries can help foster mutual understanding and dismantle stereotypes.
Upon returning home, they may become key figures in the development of Russia–Africa relations, using their knowledge and experience gained in Russia.
As part of the Congress, a presentation competition was held featuring Moscow university students and members of African student communities. Participants were selected based on recommendations from university departments working with international students and African community organizations.
The reports presented focused on various aspects of Russia–Africa cooperation, including science, education, technology, medicine, economics, diplomacy, global processes, culture, sports, and sociology.
The jury of distinguished experts included:
Vladimir Viktorovich Kochetkov, Head of the Department of Social Global Processes and Youth Work at MSU;
Anna Alexandrovna Gladkova, Vice Dean for International Affairs, Faculty of Journalism, MSU;
Alina Valeryevna Anisimova, Head of Higher Education and Science, Rossotrudnichestvo;
Alexandra Alexandrovna Khlevnaya, Deputy Head of the same department;
Sergey Yuryevich Bukin, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Branch of the Russian Peace Foundation;
Professor Maurice Okoli, President of the Nigerian Diaspora in Russia;
Sergey Nikolaevich Chesnokov, Academician of the Petrovskaya Academy of Sciences and Arts, international journalist;
Olga Konstantinovna Barinova, CEO of “Prospekt” and leading expert at HSE’s Laboratory for Business Communication Studies;
Ilya Leonidovich Shershnev, Program Director of the Russia–Africa Club at MSU, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Global Studies, and President of the Public Diplomacy Foundation;
Louis Gouend, Head of the Commission on Diaspora and Media Relations at the Russia–Africa Club, and President of the African Business Club in Russia;
Dmitry Yuryevich Soin, Rector of the European Institute YUSTO;
Sergey Viktorovich Epishkin, CEO of the international group “Center-Antiterror Orel,” member of the Union of Journalists of Russia.
Organizers and jury members addressed the participants with welcoming remarks.
The Club’s Executive Secretary, Alexander Fyodorovich Berdnikov, noted that the idea of launching an ambassadors’ movement in the Russia – Africa cooperation sphere was born during the first Youth and Students Festival in Sochi.
The movement aims to unite young people from diverse cultures and professions committed to strengthening comprehensive collaboration between Russia and Africa.
Louis Gouend emphasized that African students in Russian universities who share the Club’s values and are ready to promote them can become ambassadors.
These ambassadors will actively participate in the Club’s festivals and events, building long-term connections with Russian youth.
Jury members Kochetkov and Gladkova stressed the strategic importance of the Congress and the upcoming competition. Dmitry Soin highlighted its relevance within the framework of the Russian State Youth Policy Program. Representatives from Rossotrudnichestvo – Anisimova and Khlevnaya – spoke about efforts to promote Russian education in African countries. Bukin underlined the importance of deepening cooperation amid current geopolitical challenges, while Epishkin emphasized the need for stronger Russia -Africa coordination on international security issues.
Kinfu Tafesse Zenebe (Ethiopia), Head of the Scientific and Discussion Platform of the Russia -Africa Club, and Professor Maurice Okoli discussed the importance of uniting African student communities, alumni of Russian universities, and current students to ensure the transmission of experience and to build stronger cooperation.
Chesnokov highlighted the value of the competition, where young, energetic, and charismatic youth leaders – the new goodwill ambassadors – will represent Russia on the African continent.
Mr. Vital Placide Simporé, Cultural and Public Affairs Attaché of the Embassy of Burkina Faso, expressed gratitude to the Russia – Africa Club for organizing the Congress and wished the new ambassadors success in their mission to strengthen Russia – Africa friendship.
A total of 11 presentations were delivered by students from various African countries.
Iheoma-Hart Chimeremeze Hart (Nigeria), a 6th-year medical student at RUDN University, spoke on medical cooperation.
Koffi Abdoulaye (Togo), PhD candidate in physical and mathematical sciences at RUDN, and President of the Togolese diaspora in Russia and Belarus, presented on energy cooperation.
Students and alumni from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, and Chad delivered engaging presentations on relevant topics.
Njelassili Olivia (Gabon), Deputy Head of the Russia–Africa Youth Media Center and RUDN graduate, presented on media and communications cooperation.
Simon Mutangala (Republic of Congo) focused on food security, using Ethiopia as a case study.
All speakers demonstrated professionalism, creativity, subject-matter depth, and passion for their fields. The jury unanimously decided to award all contestants the honorary title of Goodwill Ambassador of the Russia–Africa Club at Lomonosov MSU.
The newly appointed ambassadors are:
Iheoma-Hart Chimeremeze Hart, Nigeria, 6th-year medical student, RUDN University
Koffi Abdoulaye, Togo, PhD candidate in physics and mathematics, RUDN University
Nelson Kapama, Zambia, 3rd-year student, Russian State Agrarian University – Timiryazev
Elenga Liza Daniel De Pak, Republic of Congo, 2nd-year master’s student, RUDN University
Gaël Kule, DRC, 3rd-year student, Moscow Aviation Institute
Alhassane Bah, Guinea, 2nd-year master’s student, Moscow Polytechnic University
Mahamat Houlam Youssouf, Chad, 4th-year student, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics
Gladson Fwambo, Zambia, 2nd-year student, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering
Njelassili Olivia, Gabon, Russia–Africa Youth Media Center, RUDN alumna
David Etakudo Unanaifonke, Nigeria, RUDN University
Simon Mutangala, DRC, 2nd-year master’s student, Rosbiotech
At the awards ceremony, Jury Chair Vladimir Kochetkov congratulated the winners and expressed confidence that comprehensive cooperation with friendly African nations will continue to grow, with the ambassadors playing an important role in this effort.
The Congress also featured the presentation of AFREE a next-generation social network designed for Africans worldwide. The app offers messaging, group chats, open and private groups, and high-quality video calls, making it a vibrant space for connection and collaboration.
The event was covered by numerous media outlets, including long-term partner RT France, which featured the Congress in its international segment.
The First Congress of Ambassadors of the Russia–Africa Club at Lomonosov MSU took place in a warm, creative atmosphere. During musical interludes, popular African singer Junior performed soulful songs filled with African rhythms and color.
The Congress concluded with a friendly tea gathering where participants shared impressions and discussed future plans.
