Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education held a meeting dedicated to the activities of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) and the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage caused to African countries during colonialism. Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and leading Russian universities, including the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSEU), the Russian State Geological Prospecting University (MGRI), and the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, took part in the discussion.
The main topic of the meeting was the development of a methodology for calculating damage, including economic, environmental and cultural losses. As noted by the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev, this project has not only scientific but also important political significance: We must unite the efforts of universities with expertise in this area and offer African countries a tool for an objective assessment of the consequences of colonialism.
Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, by agreement with the Ministry of Education and Science, will head the working group to create the laboratory. Vice-Rector for International Work at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics Elena Gorbashko emphasized: We will have to develop a comprehensive methodology that takes into account not only direct economic losses, but also indirect factors – lost profits, environmental damage, consequences for human capital.
Rector of MGRI Yuri Panov shared preliminary calculations: We have already estimated the damage to Zimbabwe and Mozambique – 52 and 74 billion dollars respectively. At the same time, direct export of resources gave only 3-4% of the total amount, the main part is lost profits and environmental consequences.
The Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences proposed to include digital archives of cultural heritage in the study. Deputy Director Natalia Sokolova noted: Digital twins of monuments will help to record the destruction and prove the scale of the damage. We already have successful experience of such work in Syria, and we are ready to replicate it in Africa.
The next steps are to form a working group, prepare a concept and select countries for pilot projects. The final proposals will be presented to the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov in July.
This project is not only a scientific task, but also an important step in strengthening cooperation between Russia and African countries, said Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, summing up the meeting.
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