PIR Center has earned a reputation as Russia’s leading non-governmental organization in the field of international security. Its success is founded on many years of productive research conducted by a highly qualified team. The Center’s educational and outreach initiatives are equally important, including the International School and the new Master’s Programme in International Security, jointly offered with MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am confident that their graduates will make a valuable contribution to strengthening Russia’s pool of expertise.
Sergey Lavrov
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, on the PIR Center’s educational initiatives
Today’s nuclear agenda is marked by numerous long-standing challenges, compounded by an ever-growing number of new contradictions. The situation is further aggravated by the lack of meaningful engagement and even basic, objective, and impartial dialogue among the five nuclear-weapon states. Russia’s actions are frequently criticized or misrepresented, while many of its proposals are rejected outright. The Western nuclear trio—the United States, France, and the United Kingdom—is unwilling to coordinate its positions with Russia. The United States froze strategic dialogue with Russia many years ago. For our part, we are also unwilling to return to business as usual, given Western countries’ policies in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
Should this situation lead us to despair? The demand for highly qualified specialists in nuclear non-proliferation and arms control is growing, particularly as diplomacy faces new challenges, including those posed by artificial intelligence, which may undermine the ability to perceive counterparts objectively and understand their foreign policy behavior.
I can only welcome the PIR Center’s educational initiatives, whether student meetings, the International School on Global Security, or the new Master’s Programme in International Security jointly offered with MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am always pleased to engage with young professionals.
The International Security MA Program, jointly offered by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the PIR Center, is designed to train highly qualified professionals in international security, foreign policy, arms control, and nuclear non-proliferation. Launched in autumn 2024, the programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary global security challenges and the evolving international security architecture.
The curriculum covers a broad range of issues, including nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, international conflict, hybrid warfare, military and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and regional security. Particular attention is devoted to Russia’s foreign and defense policy, European security, cooperation within BRICS, and security relations with the Gulf states and Sub-Saharan Africa.
A distinctive feature of the programme is its combination of academic training and practical expertise. Students benefit from lectures and discussions led by prominent Russian academics, diplomats, former government officials, and international security practitioners. Through the PIR Center, they also participate in expert discussions, debates, educational schools, and online courses, gaining insights into diplomatic negotiations, international agreements, and the practical challenges of maintaining global security.
The programme is intended for graduates with backgrounds in international relations, international law, regional studies, the history of international relations, conflict studies, and related disciplines. It is suitable for both Russian and international students seeking to develop careers in diplomacy, government institutions, international organizations, research and analytical centers, state-owned corporations, non-governmental organizations, political consulting, or journalism.
The programme lasts two years and is delivered on a full-time, in-person basis, primarily in Russian, with selected courses taught in English. Under the academic leadership of Professor Vladimir Orlov, founder and director of the PIR Center, the programme aims to develop the analytical skills, professional knowledge, and practical competencies necessary to understand complex international security issues and contribute to policy analysis, diplomatic engagement, and international security research.
By combining rigorous academic study with the experience of leading experts and practitioners, the Master’s Programme in International Security offers an interdisciplinary foundation for professionals seeking to understand and address the major security challenges shaping international relations today.
