XXII PIR Center International School on Global Security opened in Zvenigorod

JUNE 4. ZVENIGOROD. PIR PRESS. «What a score. An interdisciplinary group of the most reputable professionals will share their practical experience and share their accumulated skills, each of which has an impeccable reputation and the deepest competence in their subject area. In just a week, you will have to master a rich program, discuss the most pressing international problems, try to jointly think about finding creative solutions to the most acute challenges and threats to security and stability», – H.E. Oleg Stepanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Canada, PIR Center Advisory Board member.

On the morning of June 4, the XXII PIR Center International School on Global Security was officially opened. It started in an atypical way – with a welcome address from special guest Oleg Stepanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Canada, PIR Center Advisory Board member. “Oleg Vladimirovich prepared a very warm, informal greeting for our listeners. Unfortunately, he could not be with us today, as he is in the diplomatic service in Canada. The participation of Ambassador Stepanov in our educational projects is very valuable for us, and we are very grateful to him for his readiness to provide us with this or that support at any time of the day or night,” – said Elena Karnaukhova, Executive Secretary of the PIR Center International School for Global Security, PIR Center Deputy Director – Education and Training Program Director.

In his address, Oleg Stepanov wished the students of the PIR Center International School bright, eventful days, successful work and interesting discussions. You can find out more about it here.

The traditional welcoming speech was given by PIR Center Founding Director Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Academic Supervisor of the International School, Professor at the MGIMO University.

“There is always a minimum task and a maximum task in the negotiation process. The minimum task is to establish a dialogue, the maximum task is to prevent the emerging conflict. It is important not to spread our thoughts along the tree, but to concentrate on key issues that we can consider and discuss. We welcome all participants of the School from East to West and from West to East. Let’s think together today how to make our planet a little better and, preferably, safer”.

In addition, Dr. Orlov drew the attention of the audience to the importance of mutual openness and readiness for dialogue; emphasized the importance of PIR Center International School on Global Security as a platform for the development of international dialogue.

As part of the official opening, each participant of the International School presented himself, his goals for participating in the School and his expectations from this event.

Elena Karnaukhova also summed up the results of the competitive selection for the School in 2023. This year, 115 applications were received for PIR Center International School on Global Security. Applications were received from citizens of Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Macedonia, Moldova, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, USA, Taiwan*, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Croatia , South Ossetia and Japan.

Based on the results of the competitive selection, 25 young international specialists from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Moldova, Russia, Slovakia, the USA, Tajikistan, Croatia, South Ossetia, and Japan were invited to participate. This year the International School program includes lectures, seminars, business cases, panel discussions, situational analysis, meetings with Russian officials and even a diplomatic reception.

The XXII PIR Center International School on Global Security is held using a grant from the President of the Russian Federation for the development of civil society, provided by the Presidential Grants Fund, with grant support from the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, as well as MGIMO University as part of the implementation of the joint project “Global Security, Strategic Stability and Arms Control” (implemented by PIR Center and MGIMO Univeristy as part of the Strategic Academic Leadership Program “Priority 2030”).

Key words: Education

EDU/IS