The Role of Space in Advancing International Humanitarian Cooperation was Discussed at the World Public Summit: Africa
On 29 July 2026, a roundtable "Space Without Borders: Uniting the World through Education, Science and Humanitarian Partnership" was held as part of the World Public Summit: Africa, under the theme "New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future". The discussion brought together experts from Russia, Brazil, Spain, Tunisia, Uganda and Ethiopia to examine the role of space as a platform for international cooperation, public diplomacy, education and scientific exchange. Particular attention was paid to the development of joint humanitarian projects with representatives of the global space industry, as well as to issues of human spaceflight, space medicine, science communication and educational programs that help strengthen partnerships among countries.
The roundtable was moderated by Alena Kuzmenko, President of the Unity Charitable Foundation (Russia).
The following experts took part in the session:
Oleg Skripochka (Russia) – Hero of the Russian Federation, test cosmonaut at Roscosmos;
William Schneider Rabelo (Brazil) – engineer, space technology researcher, volunteer coordinator of the Unity Charitable Foundation in Latin America;
Raksana Batsmanova (Spain) – NASA nurse, ambassador of the Unity Charitable Foundation, specialist in medical support for space missions;
Khalil Louati (Tunisia) – international consultant and space technology expert, founder and CEO of Noor Space;
Kirubel Menberu (Ethiopia) – Executive Director of the Ethiopian Space Science Society;
Kubakurungi Safira (Uganda) – coordinator of educational programs at the African Space Leadership Institute.
The keynote speaker was Oleg Skripochka, who has completed three space flights totaling over one and a half years and three spacewalks with a cumulative duration of 16 hours. In his address, Oleg Skripochka emphasized that space exploration has always been an example of how joint work by scientists, engineers and researchers from different countries can achieve results of significance for all humanity. He also noted that "space remains a unique realm of trust, cooperation and knowledge sharing, where common goals unite people regardless of national borders."
Participants noted that space activities today go beyond scientific research and are becoming an important tool for developing education, popularizing science, supporting youth initiatives, fostering international humanitarian cooperation and advancing public diplomacy.
The speakers paid special attention to the international educational programs of the African Space Leadership Institute and the Ethiopian Space Science Society – organizations that develop international partnerships and participate in the global educational agenda in the space sector.
Khalil Louati highlighted Russia's significant role in the transfer of space technologies and stressed that cooperation with Russia opens up opportunities for African countries to become active players in the industry. As an example, he cited projects implemented in partnership with Roscosmos, including preparations for the first space flight by a woman from Tunisia and the first female astronaut from the African continent.
The participants also discussed issues of space medicine, noting that research conducted in space is already being applied in diagnostics, rehabilitation, telemedicine and the development of new medical solutions. Raksana Batsmanova remarked that "at the center of space exploration there must always be the human being. Any achievements in astronautics only make sense when they serve people."
A practical follow‑up to the discussion was the international humanitarian mission of the Unity Charitable Foundation. During the Summit, together with the roundtable speakers and Oleg Skripochka, the Foundation implemented the "Space Art Therapy" program for patients at Ethiopia's largest children's cancer center – Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital – hosted by the Tesfa Addis Parents and Childhood Cancer Organization.
As part of the program, children with cancer draw their dreams, which are then sent into space. On 14 July 2026, under the "Art Rocket II" project, drawings by children from Russia and eight other countries were successfully launched into space aboard a Soyuz rocket. At the hospital, Oleg Skripochka told the children about space flights and inspired them to take up creative work. Many of them encountered the topic of space for the first time and enthusiastically began drawing rockets and cosmonauts.
Continuing a tradition established during the World Public Summit: Latin America, and on the initiative of the World Public Assembly, tactile copies of paintings from the international art project "Angels of Peace" – including works on space themes – were presented to the cancer center and the foundation.
On 30 July, Oleg Skripochka presented his key points at the plenary session that opened the World Public Summit: Africa, setting the main directions for the international dialogue.
Throughout the Summit, a dedicated booth of the Unity Charitable Foundation was on display, showcasing the "Space Art Therapy", "Art Rocket" and "Art Rocket II" programs. It attracted considerable interest from attendees, and representatives of several countries expressed their readiness to join the projects.
In addition, the delegation of roundtable speakers visited the Entoto Observatory Space Science Research Center – the first astronomical centre in East Africa – as well as the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Research Institute, where they discussed prospects for scientific and humanitarian cooperation.
According to the organizers and participants, the partnership between the Unity Charitable Foundation and the World Peoples Assembly is a vivid example of effective public diplomacy. Joint projects have already been implemented in Russia, India, Brazil and Ethiopia. Alena Kuzmenko expressed her conviction that "humanitarian initiatives should serve as a solid foundation for international cooperation in the space sector."
Following the roundtable and the humanitarian mission, the participants confirmed their readiness to expand the "Space Art Therapy" program in African countries and beyond, as well as to launch new joint projects.
The recommendations from the roundtable will be incorporated into the final documents of the World Public Summit: Africa and will be presented at the Second World Public Assembly "New World: Values that Unite", to be held on 18–19 September 2026 in Moscow.
Additional information is available on the official websites of the World Public Summits and the World Peoples Assembly.