Opening ceremony of the Centre for Strategic Studies in Africa
On 24 September 2024, the opening ceremony of the Centre for Strategic Studies of Africa as a structural unit of the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv took place.
We are convinced that the work of the Centre for Strategic Studies of Africa will contribute to the development of our mutually beneficial cooperation, which will meet the interests of the Ukrainian state, helping to develop its cultural, educational and scientific spheres and strengthening its position on the African continent.
On 24 September, during the opening ceremony of the Centre for Strategic Studies of Africa as a structural unit of the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the participants of the event outlined the key areas and priorities of work in the process of establishing cooperation between Ukraine and African states in the educational, cultural and information spheres.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, Valeriy Kopiyka, Director of the Institute, stressed that the opening of the Centre is an important component of training new generations of Ukrainian diplomats specialising in African issues: ‘We have created a platform for expert and academic cooperation that will allow us to educate new specialists in the field of African studies for the Ukrainian diplomatic service. This reflects Ukraine's desire to strengthen its presence on the African continent and invest in the development of educational, cultural and informational ties with the countries of the region.’
In his welcoming remarks to the distinguished guests, faculty and students of the Institute of International Relations, Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa Maksym SUBH noted that the establishment of the Centre for Strategic African Studies is crucial for improving the quality of training of Ukrainian diplomats working in Africa. According to him, ‘The Centre will significantly improve the professional level of Ukrainian diplomats and will help deepen contacts with Ukraine's African partners, which will not only help develop diplomatic relations but also facilitate the exchange of experience between Ukraine and African countries.’
In turn, Andrii Kononenko, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, emphasising the importance of opening this structural unit, stressed the need to develop not only African studies, but also other related areas of Ukrainian science, as this will allow training international experts who will be able to specialise in analysing different countries and regions of the world, which is necessary for all public authorities of our country without exception.
Yuriy Kosenko, Head of the Ukrainian Initiative NGO, stressed the importance of civil society involvement in the development of Ukraine's international relations, as it is often informal - educational, cultural and informational - contacts that are a direct precondition for building close and mutually beneficial relations between Ukraine and partner countries in the future.
According to one of the apologists for the creation of the Centre, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Botswana Oleksiy Syvak, who, together with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mozambique Liubov Abravitova, initiated the creation of this research unit, The latter should become an important platform for the development of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the countries of the African continent, opening new opportunities for Ukrainian diplomats, contributing to the strengthening of cooperation between Ukraine and Africa at various levels - political, economic and cultural. Thus, the establishment of the Centre for Strategic Studies of Africa is a crucial step towards expanding Ukraine's presence on the African continent and strengthening its cooperation with African states.
