The multimedia studio of the Russian “Znanie” Society will cover the events of the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum for the first time
On 27–28 July 2023, the multimedia studio of the Russian “Znanie” Society will be operating in St. Petersburg during the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum. The studio aims to provide extensive coverage of the event's central activities, catering specifically to a youth audience. This coverage will include hosting lectures, conducting interviews, and producing podcasts featuring guest speakers. Moreover, the leaders of the “Znanie” Society will actively participate in the business programme of the Summit.
The key topics for discussion will include energy and business development, mining, agricultural intensification, African food sovereignty, physical and financial security, health care, and high technology. Special attention will be paid to developing a long-term mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and Russia. The Economic and Humanitarian Forum is set to be an exceptional event aimed at broadening the scope and avenues of Russian–African cooperation while identifying fresh development prospects.
The multimedia studio of the “Znanie” Society, known as Znanie.Lectures, is set to open at ExpoForum and will be adorned with artistic and ornamental traditions representing the rich cultural intertwining of Russia and Africa. The studio's content will be broadcasted on the website of the Russian “Znanie” Society, and it will also be available in the “Znanie” community on VK.
"This year, for the first time, the “Znanie” Society is being integrated into the programme of the Russia–Africa Summit. The primary objective is to promote accurate knowledge concerning the relationship between the Russian Federation and the countries of the African continent, the second largest and most populous continent after Eurasia. We also want to show young people how they can make a real contribution to fostering long-standing friendly cooperation. Similar to numerous other prominent business events, the Znanie.Lectures multimedia studio will serve as an open platform for discussions led by key speakers from the Summit. These speakers comprise Russian and foreign leaders from the scientific and educational community, government officials, as well as notable figures from the realms of business, culture, art, sports, and other spheres," said Maxim Dreval, General Director of the Russian “Znanie” Society.
The multimedia studio is set to host a series of lectures and interviews focusing on the history and diverse culture of the African continent, as well as exploring the potential for cooperation between Russia and Africa in various sectors, including industry, business, education, healthcare, sports, art, and culture. Valery Falkov, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and Maxim Reshetnikov, the Minister of Economic Development of Russia, have been invited to participate as speakers, along with other government officials.
Among the speakers who have already confirmed their participation in the studio programme are Alexei Ivanov, Director of the International BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, Alexei Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, Andrey Maslov, Director of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics and Director of the Centre for African Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director of the State Hermitage Museum, Julia Uzhakina, Director General of the Rosatom Corporate Academy, Anastasia Shikareva, Co-founder and President of the Women's World Business Alliance WBA Alliance, Oleg Yastrebo, Rector, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, and others.
For the first time, podcasts will be broadcast from the Znanie.Lectures studio, with Roman Bogatyrev, Director of the Programme Department at the “Znanie” Society, serving as the host. The podcasts will feature guests from various African countries who have come to Russia and achieved success here, as well as Russians with ancestral roots in Africa, and experts who collaborate with Africans both in Russia and abroad. During the podcasts, the speakers will generously share their secrets of success, discuss their personal journeys and experiences in either their new or native countries, and shed light on the challenges they encountered and successfully overcame. Additionally, the discussions will centre around the historical roots of cooperation between Russia and Africa, the ongoing collaboration, and the promising prospects for the future.
Among the guests: Tijani Alhassan, English teacher at RUDN, Larisa Efremova, RUDN Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Victoria Pierre-Marie, singer, actress, and founder of the band Pierre-Marie Bend, Victor Keyru, multiple-time Russian champion, winner of the Russian Basketball Cup, Kambibi Kononina, Director of Peakart Art Bureau, Linz Camara, model, organizer of tours to Africa, Yegor Kvyatkovsky, Vice-President for Marketing and Development of the Rusatom International Network, and others.
Maxim Dreval, the General Director of the Russian “Znanie” Society, will take part in the business programme of the event. In particular, in the panel session "Russia–Africa: Transferring the Best Educational Technologies for General, Vocational and Further Education," where the participants will discuss the points of further development of relations between educational institutions.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the leadership of the Russian “Znanie” Society will sign a cooperation agreement with the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, as well as a roadmap for the development of cooperation and implementation of joint projects until the end of 2023 with Roscosmos.
The Second Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum constitute the most pivotal and largest events in Russia–Africa relations. These are aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial partnership encompassing various vital domains, including politics, security, economy, science and technology, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres.
The first Russia–Africa event in the history of transcontinental relations, the 2019 Sochi Summit, was held under the motto "For Peace, Security and Development." Over 6,000 people from 104 countries participated, including representatives from all 54 sovereign states in Africa.
