🇧🇾 📚 “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?
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🎓 🤩 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 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! 🇷🇺✨
🌍 August on the Electoral Map: Five Processes to Watch
August has brought a number of significant electoral developments across different regions of the world — from general and parliamentary elections to constitutional and EU-related referendums.
Some votes have already reshaped national political institutions, while others are still ahead and could influence the political trajectory of their countries for years to come.
We have selected five electoral processes worth watching this August.
Find out more in our cards⬆️
#CIIC_Analytics #CIIC_digest
🤝 Our friends at the Gorchakov Fund have opened applications for an international round table on youth cooperation
The Youth Council of the Republic of Srpska, with grant support from the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, invites young professionals, representatives of civil society organizations, and volunteers to take part in the international round table “Youth of the Balkans and Russia: Public Diplomacy and Volunteering.”
The programme will focus on the exchange of experience between Russian and Balkan organizations, the development of public diplomacy and volunteering, and new formats for international youth cooperation.
🗓 September 27–28
📍 Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The programme includes:
🔵 presentations by Russian and Balkan organizations and an exchange of best practices;
🔵 expert lectures and working sessions on developing joint projects;
🔵 discussions on new youth and volunteer initiatives;
🔵 building long-term international partnerships and signing memoranda of cooperation;
🔵 a cultural programme.
Who can apply?
🔹 representatives of youth and civil society organizations working in international cooperation and public diplomacy;
🔹 students and professionals in international relations, political science, economics, international law, and history;
🔹 volunteers and participants in volunteer initiatives.
Participants should be 18–35 years old; for certain categories, the age limit is 45.
➡️ Apply here by September 5.
More information on participation requirements is available on the Gorchakov Fund website.
🌍 New Electoral Trends within the U.S. Democratic Party
Recently, we invited the authors to contribute to our series of articles “Analysis without Borders” and received many applications from different countries. Thanks to everyone who sent us their articles, ideas and suggestions.
🇮🇷 Today we are publishing the work of our old friend from Iran. Mehdi Honardide has prepared an analysis on the dynamics of change in the US Democratic Party.
🇺🇸 New Electoral Trends within the U.S. Democratic Party
The Democratic Senate primary in Michigan on August 4 was formally a contest between two Democratic candidates. Politically, however, it became a much broader confrontation over the future direction of the Democratic Party.
Abdul El-Sayed, a physician, former public-health official and prominent progressive, defeated four-term Representative Haley Stevens, a candidate more closely aligned with the party establishment. El-Sayed campaigned on universal health-care reform, economic justice, curbing corporate influence in politics and ending unconditional U.S. military support for Israel.
El-Sayed’s victory should not be understood simply as the personal success of a progressive candidate or the defeat of a moderate Democrat. It reflects the convergence of several grievances that have become increasingly important among younger and progressive Democratic voters: dissatisfaction with the political influence of corporations and major donors, demands for broader access to health care and economic security, and growing opposition to Washington’s approach to Israel and Gaza.
The role of younger voters is particularly significant. During the primary campaign, El-Sayed drew large crowds at university events, where students and young voters became an important component of his grassroots coalition.
For part of this generation, Gaza is not simply a foreign-policy issue. It has become a broader political symbol—representing concerns about Washington’s foreign-policy establishment, the influence of lobbying networks and the perceived distance between Democratic leaders and parts of the party’s younger base.
Yet it would be premature to conclude that Michigan itself has undergone a decisive ideological transformation.
El-Sayed’s primary victory was narrow, and the electorate in a party primary is not representative of the broader electorate that will vote in November. The result therefore says more about the changing balance of power within the Democratic coalition than it does about a wholesale ideological shift among Michigan voters.
El-Sayed’s central challenge will consequently be coalition expansion. He must retain the enthusiasm of progressive and younger voters while winning over moderates and independents who may be less comfortable with his ideological profile.
The Michigan primary was an important victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. But the November election will answer the more consequential question: can progressive candidates transform activist energy and youth enthusiasm into a broad electoral coalition?
The real test in Michigan will be whether the “young voters, Gaza and economy” coalition can evolve from a powerful primary constituency into a broad, majority-building electoral alliance in November.
✍️ Author: Mehdi Honardide
#AnalysisWithoutBorders
🇬🇲 Russian Language in The Gambia
On August 17, the Volga Summer Russian Language Course launched in The Gambia — a two-week intensive Russian language program taught by an instructor from Russia. The program is designed for beginners and combines language training with an introduction to Russian culture and history, as well as opportunities to pursue higher education in Russia.
🌏 A year ago, Gibril Faal, Director of the WYF National Preparatory Committee for The Gambia, with whom we continue to cooperate today, approached us with an initiative to create more accessible opportunities for learning Russian in the country, primarily for young people planning to continue their education at Russian universities. At the same time, the initiative goes beyond a single language course: it is laying the groundwork for the further development of Russian language teaching in The Gambia and, in the longer term, may contribute to the introduction of relevant programs into the country’s education system.
🇷🇺 We were glad to assist Gibril and his team by providing informational and technical support in preparing, completing, and submitting a grant application to the Russkiy Mir Foundation. The application was successful, and the initiative is now being implemented.
The language course brings together 30 participants, while its cultural and educational program is designed to reach up to 100 people. The program includes a total of 30 academic hours of Russian language classes and 16 hours dedicated to Russian culture and history.
The first results became visible within just a few days: participants have learned the Cyrillic alphabet, can write their names in Russian, and are already beginning to read simple phrases.
🤝 The next step is to continue this work and develop dialogue with the relevant Gambian authorities on expanding opportunities to study Russian in the country. For us, it is especially important to see an idea brought to us a year ago become a real educational initiative today — one that contributes to strengthening humanitarian and educational ties between Russia and The Gambia.
The Eurasia Award is for you!
We are proud partners of the Award and support those who advance cooperation across Eurasian nations.
💙 The Award welcomes projects of any scale, in any field. What matters most is their real impact and tangible results
Forget the hesitation — your project deserves the spotlight!
Applications are open until August 30
🔥 Submit your application today! The review committee will even help you polish and improve it.
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🌍 August 19 — World Humanitarian Day
This day recognizes those who help people affected by emergencies, conflicts, and humanitarian crises. Today, humanitarian work also means building long-term cooperation with local communities.
🌏 For CIIC, this is part of our practical work. This year, we signed a cooperation agreement with the International Humanitarian Corps, bringing together Russian organizations engaged in international humanitarian activities.
😊 We are also developing humanitarian initiatives together with Rossotrudnichestvo.
🇰🇿 In Kazakhstan, with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo and CIIC, a social taxi project was launched in Uralsk. Two vehicles were provided to create jobs for drivers with hearing impairments. The idea is simple: not one-off assistance, but a sustainable model that supports both employment and social inclusion.
🇧🇾 In Belarus, CIIC supported Rossotrudnichestvo’s humanitarian project “Let Everyone Receive Help!”. Bicycles and e-bikes were provided to social workers in the Bereza District, helping them reach elderly people and those living alone in remote communities more quickly.
📚 Another area of joint work is the international “Guardians of Memory” project, which brings together young historians, researchers, archivists, and journalists from different countries around the preservation of historical memory.
🌐 Humanitarian cooperation in Russia involves a wide range of actors: the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rossotrudnichestvo and its network of Russian Houses, EMERCOM of Russia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Russian universities, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and cultural institutions, as well as charitable foundations, humanitarian and volunteer organizations, NGOs, and expert centers.
Each brings something different to the table — from emergency response and direct assistance to education, culture, youth initiatives, and public projects. Working together makes it possible to move beyond individual activities and build lasting ties between countries and communities.
💫 Humanitarian cooperation is not only about being there when help is needed. It is also about creating solutions together that continue to work long after a particular project has ended.
Analytics without Borders: Join #ciic_friends
Dear friends, we are very grateful to you for your participation in the development of our professional community.
🔥 For the most active and talented, we decided to launch the #ciic_friends section, in which we will publish analytical materials from our subscribers.
Send your works and topics
to us in the telegram channel and do not miss the release of your materials 💬
⭐️ Would you like to participate?
🇮🇳 India celebrates Independence Day — and we invite you to look at Russia–India relations through concrete humanitarian projects
August 15 is a good occasion to speak not only about India’s history, but also about how ties between our countries are developing today beyond the sphere of high-level politics. In the case of Russia and India, it is particularly clear that humanitarian cooperation is not built around a single project, but across several established areas of engagement.
😊 Rossotrudnichestvo plays an important role in this work. Its representative office in India develops educational, cultural, and youth programs, while the network of Russian Houses includes five locations — in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Trivandrum. They host Russian language courses, educational presentations, cultural events, youth programs, and other initiatives that form a permanent infrastructure for humanitarian ties between Russia and India.
📚 In 2026, a new Centre for Russian Language and Culture opened at Gujarat University — another platform promoting Russian education and culture in India.
🎓 University cooperation is expanding as well. The Second Indo-Russian Education Summit in New Delhi brought together more than 70 Russian and Indian universities and provided a platform for discussing academic mobility, joint programs, and new partnerships.
👥 Youth engagement is another important area. The Second Russia–India Youth Forum brought participants together around science, innovation, culture, public diplomacy, and volunteering. More than 1,200 people expressed interest in taking part.
🎭 Culture remains one of the most accessible and enduring languages of dialogue: Russian language courses, film screenings, exhibitions, meetings with students, as well as literary and educational programs are regularly held at Russian Houses across India.
We have selected six projects and areas of cooperation that best demonstrate what Russia–India humanitarian partnership looks like in practice today.
Find out more in our cards⬆️
🇵🇰 Russia and Pakistan: Humanitarian Cooperation Through Concrete Projects
Today, August 14, Pakistan celebrates Independence Day. To mark the occasion, we decided to highlight not only the country itself, but also what brings Russia and Pakistan together today in the humanitarian sphere.
Education, science, Russian language learning, youth and academic exchanges, joint research, cultural initiatives, and cooperation in emergency response — Russia–Pakistan humanitarian ties now span an increasingly wide range of areas.
🇷🇺🤝🇵🇰 In our cards, we have brought together concrete projects and initiatives between Russia and Pakistan: from joint student research teams and cooperation between RUDN University and NUST to educational programs, Russian government scholarships for Pakistani students, and projects promoting the Russian language.
😊 A special role in developing these ties is played by the Russian House in Karachi — the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Pakistan. The Russian Centre for Science and Culture has been operating in the country for more than half a century and today remains one of the key platforms for introducing people to the Russian language and culture, implementing educational and cultural programs, and fostering direct people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
Russia’s educational infrastructure in Pakistan continues to develop. In Islamabad, at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and with the participation of Ural State Pedagogical University, the first Russian Open Education Center in Pakistan has begun operating. The center offers Russian language programs and introduces Pakistani students to Russian education and culture.
New Russian language programs are also being developed at other Pakistani universities, expanding opportunities for academic and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries.
✨Discover the humanitarian projects that already connect Russia and Pakistan in our cards.
🇿🇲Today, our attention turns to Zambia, where the 2026 general elections are taking place.
What makes this election especially important? What has changed in the electoral system? And who are the main candidates competing for the presidency?
Swipe through our cards to learn more about Zambia’s electoral system, the key innovations introduced ahead of the 2026 vote, and the leading presidential candidates shaping this year’s race.
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🤝 Looking for an opportunity to learn more about BRICS, energy cooperation and sustainable development?
On September 22–23, Nizhny Novgorod will host the BRICS International School: New Generation, organized by HSE University–Nizhny Novgorod and Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation.
The two-day program will bring together young participants and leading experts for lectures, workshops, quizzes and discussions on some of the key issues shaping cooperation within BRICS.
The program will focus on:
👉 the role of BRICS in today’s international system;
👉 energy cooperation among BRICS countries;
👉 the activities of the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform;
👉 the future of nuclear energy and high-tech projects;
👉 the role of young people in advancing the sustainable development agenda.
📍 Nizhny Novgorod
📅 September 22–23
❗️ Registration is open until September 1.
📌 The working language of the program is English.
The program also involves the BRICS Expert Council-Russia. Other partners include the Atomic Energy Information Center and Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R.E. Alekseev.
✨A great opportunity to deepen your understanding of BRICS, meet experts and like-minded participants, and join the conversation on the future of international energy cooperation.
🌡 Record-Low Danube Levels Deepen Energy and Logistics Risks for Ukraine
Our friends at Lenta.ru have published an article examining how the unprecedented drop in the Danube’s water level, caused by extreme heat, is affecting Ukraine and European countries.
Following the effective blockade of Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea as a result of strikes by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Kyiv sought to redirect part of its exports through the Danube ports of Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk. However, the lower water level has restricted river transport: barges must carry lighter loads, the number of journeys is increasing, and shipping costs are rising.
🌏 The situation was commented on by Arina Salivon, an expert at the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation:
“For Kyiv, this means a reduction in the volumes of electricity available for import from two important sources and a likely increase in electricity prices, even if part of the shortfall can be covered through Slovakia and Poland.
If the drought persists, the crisis will intensify competition among EU member states for limited capacity and may place national interests above the principle of European solidarity. Some countries may seek additional sources of supply, including by increasing purchases of Russian energy resources. However, it would be premature to describe this as a decision that has already been made.”
According to the expert, the main constraint on Ukrainian trade remains the disruption of the Black Sea route, while the low water level in the Danube is creating further difficulties for exports of agricultural and metallurgical products. At the same time, reduced electricity generation at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary and the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant in Romania is limiting the volumes available to Ukraine and creating conditions for higher prices.
The climate factor is therefore becoming an additional challenge for the energy sector of the European Union and for Ukrainian logistics, intensifying competition for resources and compelling countries to seek alternative supply routes.
📖 You can read the full article here.
📢 Applications are now open for a grant competition organised by our colleagues at the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund!
Russian and international non-profit organisations implementing projects in the fields of international relations and public diplomacy are invited to apply.
🏆 The winners will receive grant support to implement their initiatives in the first half of 2027.
The Fund’s information cards provide key details about the competition, including:
— who is eligible to apply;
— which types of projects may receive support;
— how to submit an application;
— where to find the required documents.
🗓 The application deadline is 15 August at 11:59 p.m. Moscow time.
📺🇵🇰Alexey Malinin on Pakistan TV Global: Perspectives on the Russia–Ukraine Conflict
🌏 Alexey Malinin, Russian Political Analyst, Co-Founder of the Centre for International Interaction and Cooperation, and Member of the Digoria Expert Club, appeared on the international current affairs programme Beyond Borders on Pakistan TV Global. The discussion focused on the escalation of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, including strikes on oil refineries and logistics infrastructure, the possible production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine, prospects for negotiations, and the conditions required to bring the hostilities to an end. Alexey noted:
Attacks on Russian facilities may create difficulties at the local level, but they cannot critically affect the stability of Russia’s economy, energy sector, defence capabilities or military operations. Russia is prepared for different scenarios and remains interested in achieving a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict.
🗣 A particularly intense part of the broadcast was the discussion with Cormac Smith, Former British Diplomat and Strategic Communication Advisor to the Foreign Minister of Ukraine. The two experts presented opposing assessments of the causes of the escalation, the impact of strikes on Russian infrastructure, the status of Crimea, and responsibility for the failure of peace initiatives.
Alexey Malinin outlined the Russian position and emphasised the importance of assessing developments on the basis of facts rather than emotional and one-sided interpretations.
The episode also featured Dr. Isaac Andakian, International Political Analyst, and Brig (R) Raashid Wali Jandua, Defence Analyst. The programme was hosted by Omar Khalid Butt.
📺 Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFfghyYhNU4
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