Dialogue on equal terms

Within the framework of the XIII Eurasian Economic Youth Forum, a traditional meeting of foreign ambassadors, consuls and students from all over Russia - “Dialogue on Equal Terms”- took place.

The meeting with foreign representatives is traditionally held before the opening of the EEYF plenary session. Opening the event, USUE Rector Yakov Silin emphasized that Ural State University of Economics, like the entire country, is open to new friendly contacts and cooperation.

 “The world is changing. It becomes multipolar. There must be a place for each country and for each citizen. That is why it is so important to be ready for dialogue, a dialogue on equal terms,” USUE Rector Yakov Silin said. “I am grateful to the foreign diplomats who responded to our invitation and found the opportunity to take part in such a dialogue with students. Students from 68 countries study at USUE. Over 160 peoples live in the Sverdlovsk region. If there are more, we will definitely accept them. I am sure they will harmoniously merge into our society!”

In confirmation of these words, within this meeting, they signed bilateral agreements between USUE and some universities: International University of Tourism of Uzbekistan, Sochi State University, and A. Tibilov South Ossetia State University .

The representative of South Ossetia presented Yakov Silin with the Order of Friendship of the Republic for his contribution to strengthening ties and cooperation between the countries.

The USUE Rector handed over samples of the Ural soil from the historical center of the city to colleagues from Sochi. The Sochi Research Institute of Floriculture and Subtropical Crops contains thousands of geological specimens from all over the world. Now the collection will include the soil from the Urals, especially considering that Yekaterinburg is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year.

The first of the diplomats to address the students was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen to Russia, Mr. Ahmed Salem Al-Wahishi. He devoted his speech to the UN Declaration On the Establishment of a New International Economic Order. In 2024, it will be 50 years since its adoption, and according to the ambassador, one of the main UN documents needs a new reading today.

“With due time, the declaration of a new international economic order emphasized the independence of the countries of Asia and Africa. It played an important role in consolidating the efforts of developing countries to build up new equal relations with all members of the international community,” the ambassador noted. “But today, shortly before the 50th anniversary of the declaration adoption, we are faced with the goal of giving it a new reading. The fight against hunger, social inequality, climate change: we must solve all these common tasks of humankind, taking into account the role of developing states in world politics that has increased over the past decades.”

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kenya to Russia, Mr. Benson H.O. Ogutu, is sure that to achieve common prosperity, it is important to develop economic ties between states.

“Kenya is considered being a developing country. But over the past decades, it has been participating in international projects and cooperation programs, actively establishing economic ties. We call on Russia to take part in joint projects in agriculture, healthcare, and construction. Our country is open to new opportunities,” Mr. Benson Henry Ouma Ogutu said.

The students were actively involved in the dialogue. International students expressed their readiness to take part in the economic and social life both of their homeland and Russia. They ask diplomats and university leadership to help with employment. They would like to start working while still studying at the university. USUE Rector Yakov Silin welcomed the desire of students to be active and noted that the university always tried to accommodate their requests.

The dialogue was moderated by a long-time friend and partner of the forum, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Association of International Students of Russia, Mr. Adu Yao Nikez. This year, he received the Order of Merit to EEYF from the hands of the USUE rector.