Building Bridges: BelSU Students Explore Russia‑Africa Ties at Peace Day Event

The event united students at the Centre for Intercultural Communication of Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) to honour the Day of Peace and National Reconciliation, which commemorates the end of Angola’s long civil war (1975–2002) on 4 April, the date the peace accords were signed.

Kilonda Fernando Felix Costa, a student leader from Angola’s African Community, opened the event, emphasising the importance of young people’s contributions to peace and prosperity in Angola and beyond. Zagi Francisco Joaquim Marques served as moderator.

A highlight of the session was a presentation by Roman Travin, a senior lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Foreign Regional Studies and Political Science at the BelSU Institute of Cross‑Cultural Communications and International Relations. Travin, who is also director of the Open Analytics project, a member of the Gorchakov Club, and a lecturer for the Russian Znanie Society, spoke about the main vectors and challenges of Russia‑Africa cooperation. His talk generated considerable interest among attendees.

Several students and postgraduate researchers from BelSU – including Kapuku Tusseye, Santana Wilza Rossana Narcizo, Vafilasily Gisela Katia Gonçalves Konga, Dos Ramos Carvalho Keila Sofia, and Asotusi Erlander A. Tuilekomvala – as well as Manuel Kamueño Alberto, a postgraduate student from Shukhov Belgorod State Technological University, delivered short lectures on their respective research.

“The Day of Peace and National Reconciliation is a significant date for our students from Angola,” noted Olga Lyutova, Director of the International Information Centre of the Department of International Cooperation.