UNESCO Chair on Global Issues and Emerging Social and Ethical Challenges for Large Cities and Their Populations of the Moscow State University and the African MAMA Network Signed an Agreement on Scientific and Educational Cooperation

On April 6, 2026, the UNESCO Chair on Global Issues and Emerging Social and Ethical Challenges for Large Cities and Their Populations of the Faculty of Global Processes of Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Africa Peace and Development Network (MAMA), based in Mwanza (Tanzania), signed an agreement to establish a permanent scientific and educational cooperation. The document was signed by the Chair's head, Dr. Yuri Sayamov, and by the network's chairman, Dr. George Mutalemva. The parties agreed on joint research and educational projects dedicated to the study of global issues, as well as new social and ethical challenges, with a special focus on Africa as a priority region for UNESCO. As part of the partnership, it is planned to integrate the potential of MAMA and other interested organizations into the world's first and only network of UNESCO chairs in this scientific field. Special attention will be paid to the analysis of the social, demographic, economic, cultural and ethical aspects of globalization, including migration, gender equality, information technology, climate change, as well as the situation of youth in large cities and Africa. In addition, the parties intend to conduct expert assessments and develop recommendations to improve the situation and overcome the negative consequences of global transformations. Tools such as a website, distance education, conferences, and joint publications will be used to disseminate research results. The parties consider their cooperation as a contribution to UNESCO's Program for Managing Social Transformation (MOST) and to the organization's overall work on global issues and emerging socio-ethical challenges. The agreement was concluded for a period of 4 years with the possibility of automatic prolongation for the next four years and entered into force on April 6, 2026 after being signed by both parties.

Source: http://unesco.fgp.msu.ru/tpost/ur6ngxsoc1-kafedra-yunesko-fgp-mgu-i-afrikanskaya-s