News

The first Russian-African started  on the 24th  June 2023. Women's Forum has put together more than 120 participants at the venue of the Women’s Union of Russia (6 Glinischevsky Lane, Moscow).

Forum organizers: African International Congress; Afrocom International Foundation; African Institute of Eurasian International University; Council for International Humanitarian Cooperation and Public Diplomacy and the Women’s Union   of Russia.

Greetings to the Forum participants were sent by Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma. The greeting was read by Svetlana Zhurova, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.  The Greeting by Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation was read by Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press the Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Chairman of the Women’s Union  of Russia Ekaterina Lakhova opened the Forum and recalled the strong friendly ties between the Soviet Union and the countries of the African continent  which Russia is developing today. The women's community of our country is ready to do everything to strengthen peace and harmony. Ekaterina Lakhova concluded her speech by congratulating our African friends on the upcoming World African Women's Day on the 31st of  July

The Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov welcomed the audience and stressed that the Federal Agency  pays lot of  attention to promoting the Russian humanitarian agenda, culture and education through it’s offices. Yevgeny Primakov wished the discussions at the forum to have the most possible pragmatic and practical agenda.

Maria Zakharova noted in her speech that Russia and African countries share many positive things and  first of all the desire for freedom, development, equality. "This point helps us to understand each other better... Russia is always open to those who have an open heart."

Speakers representing African countries at the plenary session spoke about the struggle for freedom, justice, and equal opportunities for people regardless of where they live. And each speech included words of gratitude to Russia for the support and assistance.

The forum program continued at the discussion sessions.

The moderator of the platform "People's Diplomacy" was the President of the International Eurasian University I.B. Ivantsov.   The session participants discussed an effective Russian-African partnerships  creation.

Professor L.V. Dugova, Candidate of Philological Sciences, the Coordinating Council Chairman of the Association of Teachers of Literature and Russian Language led the discussion at the “Culture and Education” section. Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation N.A. Prepodobnaya defined  a vector for promoting cultural and educational initiatives.

Another discussion platform was dedicated to supporting women's business and social entrepreneurship. The moderators were Eketering. Lakhova, the WOUR Chairman  and Elena Kalinina, Professor, Doctor of Political Science, Ambassador of St. Petersburg, Chairperson of the WOUR regional branch.

Russian women experience was received with  huge interest by the African participants who expressed the consensus opinion that it would be useful to their compatriots from different countries.

Discussion participants put forward interesting constructive proposals that will become the basis for building up prospects for the future cooperation.

The authoritative guests from African countries were awarded  by commemorative medals of  the Women’s Union  of Russia at the plenary session

The International Eurasian University awarded the title of "Honorary Doctor" to Ekaterina Lakhova, Chairman of the Women’s Union  of Russia  and to  three other WOUR activists Ekaterina Bogdasarova, Irina Drozdenko and Karine Khabirova at the conclusion of the event

"Dynamically changing world poses new challenges to the society. Women play an increasingly important role in addressing them. Your activity in the search for answers to the challenges of our time, your active participation in all spheres of life serve common interests and contribute to the maximum development of human potential.

The Forum was the  start to the development of new Russian-African women's relations. It  confirmed by an agreement between the Women’s Union  of Russia and the International Eurasian University signed by Ekaterina  Lakhova and Provost K.P. Klimenko.

The words of Auguste Ludovic Aimunchi, a Russian of African descent, sounded at the forum as a sign of trust in the success and unity of our plans: “I am grateful to destiny that I live here. Thank you Mother Russia!”