Relations between Russia and African have a long history. They are based on the rich experience of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation that in the past few years has undergone a qualitative change and is increasing the pace of development. At present, it is possible to confidently say that cooperation began in the second half of the 20th century is among the regional foreign policy priorities of Russia.
In addition to economic aspects, the basis for a sustainable dialogue between Russia and African countries is shared values, principles of cooperation and a similar political strategy which proclaims the protection and assertion of national sovereignty, adherence to international law including the principles of non-interference in internal affairs, loyalty to multilateral diplomacy, compliance with balance of interests in international relations, strengthening international security and stability. All this makes Russia and the Africa allies in the international arena and makes it possible to promote cooperation on a wide range of issues.
The Russia – Africa Summit held in Sochi in 2019 opened a new page in international relations. The final declaration of the Summit emphasizes the intention of the parties to increase cooperation, "to expand interpersonal contacts between Russia and Africa using the opportunities of non-governmental organizations and various forums including youth ones."
From July 26 to 28, 2022 the Russia – Africa Youth Public Forum was held in Moscow. It brought together 100 of the brightest representatives of youth organizations in Russia and Africa.
The Russia – Africa Youth Public Forum was aimed at strengthening friendship and mutual understanding, building long-term partnerships between youth of Russia and African countries. The foundation of youth cooperation which was laid during the forum in the future will affect the development and capacity building of a solid institutional framework for youth cooperation between countries and subsequently the discussion and creation of new effective institutions and mechanisms for interaction between Russian and African youth.
The purpose of the forum was to develop the Russian – African youth dialogue and build systematic work between youth public associations in Russia and African countries.
Tasks:
- establishing friendly and professional ties between youth leaders and youth public associations in Russia and African countries,
- creation of conditions for the exchange of experience, further cooperation and development of joint projects between youth leaders and youth public associations of Russia and African countries,
- implementation of proposals and recommendations for the development of youth cooperation and forms of interaction between youth of Russia and African countries.
The work of the forum was carried out in the following areas:
- education, science and technology,
- youth entrepreneurship and start-ups,
- youth leadership and youth civic engagement.
100 people (53 participants from the Russian Federation, 47 participants from African countries) took part. They were representatives of youth public associations, leaders and activists of youth public organizations, youth movements, student organizations, representatives of youth wing of political parties, young entrepreneurs, startup authors.
Key results:
During the Russia – Africa Youth Public Forum the participants shared their experience of youth organizations in their countries (relevant topics, successful practices and opportunities for international youth cooperation), developed proposals and recommendations for the development of cooperation and forms of interaction between youth of Russia and African countries and also got acquainted with the resources and opportunities for the development of youth cooperation between the countries.
The participants also made visits to the Federal Agency for the CIS, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), to the Skolkovo Innovation Centre, to MIREA – Russian Technological University, to the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh), to MGIMO University.
As a result of the forum the participants developed projects and proposals for the development of Russian – African youth cooperation within the framework of three thematic tracks of the forum:
-
"Education, science and technology" track: creation of a platform for scientific exchange between youth of Russia and Africa, creation of a Russian – African scientific hub that will accumulate information and opportunities in the field of education, culture and digitalization, creation of a platform for training youth of Russia and African countries on energy transit issues,
-
"Youth entrepreneurship and startups" track: African Arts Festival "AFRICA WEEK", creation of the Youth Business Council aimed at accumulating knowledge, tools and contacts to help young entrepreneurs and businessmen, establishing contacts between small businesses in Russia and African countries in the field of agriculture,
-
"Youth leadership and civic engagement of youth" track: create an youth platform for interaction between fertilizer producers that use apatite-niphiline ore, for the exchange of professional experience and personnel (it is assumed that the project will be initiated between Murmansk and South Africa, then the experience will be scaled up), create the Internet platform with vacancies in Russia and African countries for recent university graduates as well as provide professional support on this platform for recent graduates in writing resumes and passing interviews (lectures / webinars / master classes), organization of tours to Russia and African countries (twice a year) to get young people acquainted with African countries and Russia, creation of the online platform for learning languages spoken in African countries with the involvement of native speakers.
