CIIC

🤩 “Horizons of Opportunity”: Moscow Launches the Regional Stage Yesterday, the Moscow stage of the “Horizons of Opportunity” Program officially began. Following the selection process and the summer online stage, participants have now moved on to in-person practical work. “Horizons of Opportunity” is a Program for international students studying at Russian universities. It helps participants develop professional competencies, better understand opportunities for professional growth and self-realization in Russia and build connections for future international cooperation. The Program is implemented by the RUDN International Youth Center jointly with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation with the support of the Public Council under Rossotrudnichestvo and our Center for International Interaction and Cooperation (CIIC). Representatives of the Program’s organizers and partners welcomed participants at the opening of the Moscow stage. 🎓 Konstantin Malyshev, Head of the International Youth Cooperation and Tourism Division at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation:

“It is great to see the project developing and more and more international students coming to Russia every year. We want to create an environment where everyone can find their place in Russia and realize their potential.”

🎓 Nikolay Larin, Director of the RUDN International Youth Center:

“When people overcome barriers, they achieve results. On behalf of RUDN University, I wish you success on this journey, inspiration, and the determination to achieve your goals.”

🌏 Areg Agasaryan, Head of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation (CIIC) and Deputy Chairman of the Public Council under Rossotrudnichestvo:

“For us, it is important to find people who are focused on results and their own professional growth. One of the greatest values of the Regional Stage is the people you meet here. I wish each of you success in making the most of this opportunity, finding your own path, and meeting people with whom you will want to move forward.”

🤝 Over the course of two days, participants will work on a team case study. This will give them an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the online stage and get to know one another from a professional perspective — seeing how each person approaches a challenge, develops solutions, presents arguments, and works as part of a team. 🔥 Moscow is already underway, and very soon “Horizons of Opportunity” will continue in Vladivostok, where the next group of Program participants will begin their in-person work.

International voting for the Eurasia Award has begun 🌍 @premiya_evrazia The Award has completed its expert selection stage — 100 projects from 30 countries across 10 categories have reached the final. Starting from October 8, everyone can explore the finalist projects and support the one they like most. 🏆International voting is an opportunity to help projects receive additional support. There are 10 categories in total, and you can cast one vote in each category. We are partners of the Eurasia Award and invite you to discover the finalists and make your choice ❤️ Go to the Award’s official account. You will find the voting link in the profile bio: @premiya_evrazia See you at the Award Ceremony on October 15! #EurasiaAward

🇧🇷 Brazil heads to a presidential runoff Yesterday, October 4, Brazil held general elections. We have prepared a short analysis of the main results, the new balance of forces in Congress, and what to watch ahead of the presidential runoff. Brazil held general elections on October 4. Voters simultaneously elected the president, members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, as well as state governors and members of state legislatures. The main outcome was the unexpected first-round lead of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. After the ballots were counted, Flávio Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote, while incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured 45%. The gap between the two candidates was around 2.2 million votes. The runoff will take place on October 25. The result came as a surprise. Most pre-election polls had given Lula a narrow lead. Bolsonaro, however, finished just three percentage points short of winning the election outright in the first round. Another important outcome was the significant strengthening of right-wing forces in both chambers of Brazil’s Congress. The Liberal Party (PL) secured the largest bloc in the Chamber of Deputies, winning 121 of 513 seats — 24 more than in the 2022 elections. The federation led by Lula’s Workers’ Party won 82 seats. Following the Senate elections, the Liberal Party is also set to become the largest group in the upper chamber, holding 28 of 81 Senate seats. According to Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE), voting proceeded normally, with no major problems capable of affecting the conduct of the election. 62 representatives from 26 countries observed various stages of the voting process and the verification of electronic voting machines. The main question now is whether Lula can mobilize enough additional support ahead of October 25 to win the presidency for a fourth time, or whether Flávio Bolsonaro will become Brazil’s next president. ✍️ Author: Ivan Bubnov, Expert at the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation

🔥 September in Focus — #CIIC_digest September brought a number of important developments across the international and electoral agenda. Parliamentary elections, changes in political representation, preparations for upcoming votes, and major multilateral meetings all shaped the month. 🌏 In this edition of #CIIC_digest, we highlight six key developments from September — from the State Duma elections in Russia and the UN General Assembly High-Level Week to electoral processes in Sweden, Morocco, Brazil, and France. Swipe through the cards for the key facts and figures.

How are international decisions really made, and what happens behind closed doors during negotiations? 😌 Our colleagues at the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund (the Gorchakov Fund) have opened applications for the scientific and educational program “The Dialogue for the Future — 2026”, which will take place in Moscow on November 24–28. This year, participants will have an opportunity to look at diplomacy from the inside: meet diplomats and experts, take part in discussions and master classes, and test their skills in a simulation game. The program will focus on issues that directly shape the practice of international relations today: 📍 international institutions in times of uncertainty; 📍 mechanisms for reaching international agreements; 📍 the role of interpretation, media, and information in negotiation processes; 📍 the Russian diplomatic tradition and its influence on contemporary diplomacy. The program is open to young professionals aged 23 to 35 working in international relations, political science, and economics. The working languages are Russian and English. 📅 November 24–28, 2026 📍 Moscow ⏰ Applications are open until October 20, 11:59 p.m. Moscow time. To apply, register on the English-language version of the Gorchakov Fund website, select “The Dialogue for the Future — 2026” in the My Projects section, complete the application form, and submit the video assignment. The organizers will cover round-trip travel expenses to Moscow for the authors of the three best applications. 🔗 Apply on the Gorchakov Fund website ✉️ For questions about participation: dialogueforthefuture@gorchakovfund.ru We recommend this program to everyone working with the international agenda who would like to gain a deeper understanding of the practical side of diplomacy and international negotiations.

🌍 IAPEE Welcomes 14 New Members from 14 Countries On September 15, members of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise (IAPEE) came together once again at the International Festival of Youth. Experts, researchers, and public figures from different countries met to discuss political systems, elections and international observation. For us, it is especially important that the Association continues to develop as a professional international platform where representatives of different political and expert traditions can exchange experience, discuss current developments and contribute to new approaches in political and electoral expertise. The key event was a presentation of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise. Vito Grittani, Chair of IAPEE, diplomat,and founder of the International Diplomatic Observatory, spoke about the Association’s principles, activities and future plans.

Vito Grittani: “Our goal is to create a professional platform where experts from different countries can exchange experience, discuss observation methodologies, and jointly develop new approaches. IAPEE is built on cooperation, respect for national specificities, and professional dialogue.”

🤝 The meeting concluded with a ceremony welcoming new members to IAPEE. Representatives of 15 countries joined the Association, bringing new professional and regional perspectives to its international community. 🌏 The ceremony was led by Areg Agasaryan, Head of our Center and Member of the IAPEE Governing Council.

Areg Agasaryan:

“IAPEE is developing into an international professional community capable of preparing a new generation of experts. We want membership in the Association to mean active participation in missions, research, expert discussions, and professional cooperation.”

For the Association, expanding its membership means bringing together specialists with different professional backgrounds and experience, strengthening international dialogue, and developing a network of experts ready to contribute to political and electoral expertise. ✨ IAPEE continues to grow — and so does the international community united by professional dialogue on elections and political processes. 🌐

💬 International Observation, Practical Training and Electoral Expertise Another day of the “Open Elections” Program focused on international election observation, the practical work of experts at polling stations, and modern approaches to assessing electoral systems. 🌍 The central event of the day was a lecture by Sebastián López Calendino, Director of the Center for Electoral and Political-Institutional Studies at the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences of the National University of La Plata in Argentina, entitled “Independent International Election Observation and Electoral Expertise in the Modern World.” Calendino spoke about the role of independent expertise in contemporary electoral processes, the principles guiding international observers, and the importance of professional dialogue among specialists from different countries. For us, it is especially important to introduce young experts to different national and professional approaches to election observation and give them an opportunity to discuss these issues directly with experienced international practitioners.

“An international election observer does not steer any country’s ship. We do not choose its candidates, write its laws, or decide its future. Our task is to shine a light: to observe carefully, with method and honesty, and report what we actually saw.”

☑️ The practical part of the day focused on the working procedures of international observers and experts when visiting polling stations in Russia. Alexey Peskov, Executive Director of the Independent Public Monitoring Association, and Ilya Rudenko, Chair of the “For Clean Elections” Corps, guided participants through the monitoring checklist and the key aspects of an observer’s work directly at a polling station. 🎓 The Program concluded with a presentation of the Russian model of electoral rating by Vladimir Lukushin, Deputy Dean for Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. For us, it is important that every day of “Open Elections” gradually expands the participants’ professional toolkit — from understanding the principles of international observation to applying specific methods of analysis, monitoring, and professional assessment of electoral processes.

🤩 “Horizons of Opportunity”: Meeting Again At the International Festival of Youth – 2026, participants of the first season “Horizons of Opportunity” Program came together once again. 🌏 For us at the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation (CIIC), it is especially important that the end of the educational stage does not mean the end of communication between participants. “Horizons of Opportunity” brings together a community of alumni, where connections made during the Program can grow into professional partnerships, joint projects, and new forms of international cooperation. And this work continues. A new season joined the Program in 2026, and the new season is already well underway. The online stage has been completed, participants have presented their final projects, and the Regional Stage will begin in October in several Russian cities. “Horizons of Opportunity” is designed primarily for international students studying at Russian universities — young professionals who want to build their careers in Russia or continue cooperating with our country after returning home. 📚 Participants develop their skills across three areas: international economics and entrepreneurship, international relations and the humanities, and international humanitarian cooperation. The Program combines expert-led learning, practical cases, project work, professional skills development, and new opportunities for future career growth. For us, the purpose of “Horizons of Opportunity” goes beyond a single educational course. We want international students at Russian universities to gain practical tools for their professional development, a better understanding of the opportunities that cooperation with Russia can offer, and lasting connections that can develop into new joint projects after graduation. The meeting of the 2025 alumni is a good example of how “Horizons of Opportunity” continues long after the Program itself. And for the 2026 participants, the journey is only gaining momentum. 🚀

🏛️ “Open Elections”: Exploring Russia’s Electoral System On September 13, one of the key events of the “Open Elections” Program at the International Festival of Youth – 2026 was an address by Ella Pamfilova, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. She spoke to the Program participants, shared her perspective on the importance of a professional approach to electoral processes, and offered words of encouragement to the young experts ahead of the next stages of their work.

The single voting day in Russia is a concentration of the electoral activity of our citizens. Many of you will witness this event as part of the festival’s regional program. Currently, the country’s electoral sovereignty determines its independence and strength, its ability to pursue its own course. Russia has the necessary set of electoral standards for this.

For us, it is important that participants gain a professional understanding of electoral procedures in Russia and of how election commissions and the observation system operate. On the same day, we held two more educational events together with the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. 🔊 Pavel Andreev, Member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, delivered a lecture entitled “National Specifics: the Electoral Process and Election Observation in the Russian Federation, and the 2026 Election to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.” Participants discussed the organization of voting, the work of election commissions, and election observation mechanisms. ⚪️ The Program then continued with the business debate “Elections of the Future,” focused on the development of electoral technologies and the future transformation of electoral processes. Following the Festival stage, participants will continue their work across Russian regions, where they will study the organizational, legal, and procedural aspects of voting and interact with election commissions. ❗️For us, it is important that “Open Elections” helps build an international community of young professionals capable of working professionally and objectively on elections and election observation.

🇬🇲 First Russian Language Course in The Gambia Successfully Completed On August 31, the inaugural Volga Summer Russian Language Course concluded at the University of The Gambia. The two-week program demonstrated strong interest in learning Russian: 94 people registered, while daily sessions brought together up to 43 participants. 📚 Over 10 intensive sessions and 30 academic hours, participants learned the Cyrillic alphabet, basic grammar, and practical vocabulary. By the end of the course, they could read short texts, introduce themselves, ask simple questions, and hold brief conversations in Russian. Practical exercises helped them use the language in everyday situations, from meeting new people to shopping. By the third day, more than 80% of the students could confidently introduce themselves in Russian. 🌏 The educational program was complemented by sessions on Russian culture, university life, science, and technology. Videos, music, role-playing exercises, and open discussions helped participants improve their pronunciation and listening skills while gaining a broader understanding of Russia. At the closing ceremony, students received certificates recognizing their successful completion of the course. 🌏😊 The initiative was developed by Gibril Faal and his team with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Centre for International Interaction and Cooperation, and Rossotrudnichestvo. We were glad to contribute to transforming the idea presented to us a year ago into a successful educational project with tangible results. We also thank the University of The Gambia, the Gambia Diaspora Foundation, the Smile Nation Foundation, the Embassy of The Gambia in Moscow, and other partners who supported the program. The project also received support from Russian Ambassador to The Gambia Mikhail Korneev and his diplomatic team. 🇷🇺 ✨ The next step is to build on these results by developing an online program up to the B1 level, expanding access to Russian language learning, and creating new educational opportunities for Gambian students interested in continuing their studies in Russia.

🌐 Analytics Without Borders We continue our “Analytics Without Borders” series, where we feature the work of emerging researchers and experts in international relations. 📚 Today, we are sharing an article by Alisa Parkhomenko, a fourth-year International Relations student at Kuban State University. 🎓 Alisa has taken part in projects organized by our Center and is now taking her first steps in research and policy analysis. 🇨🇳 In her article, Alisa examines Beijing’s diplomatic strategy and China’s role in the emerging multipolar world. Using recent visits by world leaders as examples, she explores how China engages with different centers of power and strengthens its influence through bilateral diplomacy and international organizations.

Ultimately, the back-to-back visits crystallize a new reality. China’s strength lies not in replacing existing systems, but in offering parallel ones: alternative financing, different diplomatic norms, and competing economic models. That’s why leaders keep coming to Beijing: they’re not just negotiating deals, they’re testing how much space they can carve out for themselves in a world where influence is more distributed and options more varied.

🤝 We would like to thank Alisa and everyone who sends us their work and shares their perspectives on international affairs. If you would also like to contribute to our series, please send your article here. 🔗 Read the full article, “China’s Diplomatic Tightrope: How the Diplomatic Visits Reveal Beijing’s Multipolar Playbook,” here.

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🔥Our friends at ANO “Eurasia” are launching enrollment for the “Eurasia” Media School! Applications are now open for the “Eurasia” Media School, an international educational project for young content creators, bloggers, journalists and media professionals from 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan and 🇷🇺 Russia. Participation is free, with applicants selected through an open application process. The project is designed both for those taking their first steps in media and for experienced creators looking to grow their platforms and develop new skills. What’s inside? 🔵 8-week basic course From profile design and content strategy to filming, editing, storytelling and interviewing. 🔵 Blogger Lab Individual work with a mentor, regular content reviews, analytics and support in growing your audience. 🔵 Eurasia Media Alumni A community for graduates offering access to collaborations, grant opportunities, content challenges and offline events. The most active participants will also have access to internships, support for their own media projects, professional digital tools and AI services, as well as filming equipment and accessories. 🌏 As a partner of the project, the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation is happy to support an initiative that brings together young people from different countries, helps them build professional connections and gives them practical tools for working in today’s media environment. If you have been thinking about developing your blog or trying your hand at content creation, this is a great opportunity to start. ↗️ Apply here: https://media.evrazia.su/

🇧🇾 📚 “Let’s go! For knowledge”: 1,500 first‑graders in Belarus received school supplies   Ahead of September 1 — Knowledge Day — Belarus held the “Let’s go! For knowledge” campaign as part of the Belarusian Red Cross’s charity campaign “Let’s get children to school”.   🤝 The initiative was implemented by the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in the Republic of Belarus with the support of the Public Council under Rossotrudnichestvo and the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, together with the Belarusian Red Cross.   By the start of the new school year, 1,500 first‑graders across Belarus, who especially need support, received fully equipped school backpacks. Among them are orphaned children, children from low‑income families, children with disabilities and developmental differences, as well as children who find themselves in a difficult life situation.   📚 Each backpack contained notebooks, pencil cases, stationery, and art kits. The backpacks themselves are equipped with an anatomical orthopedic backrest. A special detail was the “Cosmic Friendship” print featuring the flags of Russia and Belarus, the Soyuz spacecraft, and a portrait of Yuri Gagarin.   🌏 Cooperation between Russia and Belarus within the framework of the Union State is built not only on treaties and major integration projects, but also on concrete joint work that directly helps people. On the eve of Knowledge Day, which was celebrated yesterday, such support took on special significance: it helped children start the new school year with greater confidence and became yet another example of practical cooperation between the two countries in the humanitarian sphere.   😊 Igor Chaika, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, noted:

“We are glad that our cooperation with the Belarusian Red Cross is not limited to memorandums, but is reflected in concrete good deeds. Our participation in the charity campaign ‘Let’s Get Children Ready for School’ is a conscious contribution to the growing generation. By handing over 1,500 fully stocked backpacks today, we want every child, when putting on that backpack, to feel like a true pioneer.” And, on the eve of September 1, following Yuri Gagarin, he could confidently say: “Let’s go!” — towards new knowledge, loyal friends, and excellent grades.

📚 Happy Knowledge Day! September 1 is a special date in Russia, marking the beginning of a new academic year. For millions of schoolchildren, university students and teachers, it is more than just the first day of classes it is a celebration that reflects the importance placed on education, knowledge and the work of teachers. At the same time, the school year begins very differently around the world: in some countries it is connected with family traditions, in others with formal ceremonies, and in some places it starts not in September at all, but in spring. In our cards, we take a quick look at how the new school year begins in Russia, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea. 🌍 Swipe through!

🔥 August in Focus — #CIIC_digest August brought renewed geopolitical tensions, growing trade disputes and important developments in global economic and environmental policy. We have gathered five events that may continue to shape the international agenda in the months ahead. 🇮🇷 US–Iran Escalation Puts the Strait of Hormuz Back in Focus

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again at the end of August after US forces struck Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with attacks on US forces in Jordan. The renewed confrontation increased risks for one of the world’s most important energy corridors, pushing Brent crude above $90 per barrel and adding further uncertainty to global shipping and energy markets.

🇨🇦 US–Canada Trade Dispute Escalates with New Tariffs

Trade relations between the United States and Canada deteriorated sharply after Washington introduced 50% tariffs on around $20 billion worth of Canadian imports. Ottawa responded by announcing retaliatory duties on approximately 700 US products, with rates ranging from 15% to 50%, alongside a C$7.5 billion support package for affected businesses. The dispute adds new pressure to highly integrated North American supply chains and raises questions over the future of the USMCA trade framework.

🇺🇸 Federal Reserve Signals That Interest Rates Could Rise Again

At the annual Jackson Hole symposium, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh signalled that additional monetary tightening may be necessary if inflation does not move convincingly towards the Fed’s 2% target. His remarks sharply increased market expectations of a rate hike in September and strengthened the US dollar. The shift is important well beyond the United States, as higher US interest rates affect global capital flows, borrowing costs and emerging-market currencies.

🇨🇳🇮🇳 China and India Move to Stabilise Relations Along Their Border

China and India reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace along their disputed border following high-level talks in Beijing. The two sides agreed to expand communication channels and continue working towards a mutually acceptable settlement of their long-running territorial disagreements. Even limited progress between Asia’s two largest countries is significant for regional stability and for the broader balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

🇲🇳 COP17 in Mongolia Brings Land Restoration and Drought Resilience to the Forefront

Ulaanbaatar hosted COP17 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification on August 17–28. The conference placed particular emphasis on rangelands, land restoration and drought resilience. Among the initiatives announced were a $1.2 billion portfolio of 45 rangeland projects and a new Drought Resilience Investment Facility designed to mobilise up to $400 million in public and private capital. The discussions highlighted the growing connection between environmental degradation, food security, migration and long-term economic stability.

💬 What would you add to this list?

💙 Why do thousands of participants choose the «Eurasia» Award? Because the Award is more than a certificate and a figurine 🔥It means new opportunities and a path that starts with one simple step Learn more in the slides ☝ We support the «Eurasia» Award because we are interested in strong projects getting attention and their authors finding new opportunities for development. Join the Eurasian family ❤️ ↗️ Apply

🎓 🤩 The Online Stage of “Horizons of Opportunity” Is Complete On August 27, the online learning stage of the “Horizons of Opportunity” Program came to an end. For almost two months, participants from three Schools studied international relations, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian cooperation together with Russian experts while working on their own projects. Now comes one of the most important parts of the Program — final project presentations. Participants are presenting business projects, analytical papers, and initiatives in the field of international humanitarian cooperation. Based on the results, the participants who will move on to the next stage — the Regional Stage — will be selected. 📍 This autumn, “Horizons of Opportunity” will continue in person in four Russian cities: Moscow 🏛 — October 5–8 Vladivostok 🌊 — October 19–22 St. Petersburg ⚓️ — November 2–5 Krasnodar ☀️ — November 16–19 The Regional Stage will focus on in-person teamwork and practical tasks. Participants will meet experts, attend lectures on Russia and contemporary international affairs, develop professional skills, explore how to use AI effectively, and, most importantly, work in teams on a practical case and present their solutions. 🎭🏙 The Program will also include a cultural component, giving participants an opportunity to discover each city and get to know one another beyond the online classroom. For now, we wish everyone the best of luck with their final presentations. ✨ Very soon, we will find out who will continue their “Horizons of Opportunity” journey in Moscow, Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, and Krasnodar!

Bringing Latin America Closer: Talking Public Diplomacy in Volgograd 💬🤝 🌏 Maria Prokofieva, Director of the ANO Center for International Interaction and Cooperation (CIIC), took part in the School on Latin America, currently taking place in Volgograd. The School is organized by our friends at the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund together with the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ILA RAS) and the Center for Public Diplomacy of Volgograd State University. This year, the programme has brought together more than 30 students and young professionals to discuss the future of Russia–Latin America relations and develop their own project ideas. Maria spoke at the workshop “Bringing Latin America Closer: How Public Diplomacy Is Transforming Relations with Russia.” The discussion focused on formats that help build lasting ties between people and organizations: youth and expert exchanges, educational programmes, joint research, internships, volunteer initiatives, and humanitarian projects. Drawing on CIIC’s projects, Maria shared our approach to this work. For us, participation in an international programme should not end when the final session is over. A strong project should give participants a clear next step — a new professional contact, a joint publication, an internship, a research project, or an initiative of their own. The discussion also addressed some very practical questions: how to reach beyond the same familiar audiences, overcome language and logistical barriers, and, most importantly, maintain connections between participants after a project has ended. 😌 Many thanks to our colleagues at the Gorchakov Fund for the invitation and for creating a space where Russia–Latin America cooperation is discussed not only in terms of major international trends, but also through concrete projects that can be launched today. ¡Gracias, Volgograd! 🇷🇺✨