Russia–Brazil Relations in Science and Education Reach a New Level. The First Lady of Brazil Visits HSE University

On May 7, 2025, Janja Lula da Silva — First Lady of Brazil and a prominent advocate for sustainable development who initiated the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty — visited HSE University. She held a private meeting with HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, where they explored promising avenues for strengthening Russia-Brazil collaboration in science and education. 

Later that day, HSE University hosted a round table discussion titled "The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty as a Key to Modern International Cooperation," featuring Janja Lula da Silva as a distinguished guest.

Victoria Panova, Head of BRICS Expert Council – Russia, Vice Rector at HSE University, and Russia's Sherpa in the Women's Twenty (W20), opened the meeting by stressing the importance of strategic partnership with Brazil. She noted Brazil's active representation of the Global Majority's perspectives and highlighted how the mutual understanding between Brazil and Russia on key international issues creates strong foundations for advancing multipolarity and enhancing scientific, expert, and humanitarian collaboration.

First Lady Lula da Silva shared her deep personal commitment to fighting poverty and hunger, which she considers her life's work. She revealed a special family connection to Russia, mentioning her grandmother's Moscow roots, which made her visit particularly meaningful. The First Lady explained that launching the Global Alliance was among President Lula da Silva's first initiatives in his third term. The Alliance aims to tackle pressing global challenges, particularly social inequality, hunger, and extreme poverty, which continue to afflict hundreds of millions worldwide.

Janja Lula da Silva emphasised that sustainable development cannot be achieved while ignoring these pressing issues, and the Alliance's primary goal is to provide direct assistance to vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly. The First Lady outlined the initiative's three fundamental pillars: national policy, financial support, and knowledge dissemination. Currently, the Alliance brings together 95 countries, 51 foundations, 28 international organisations—including FAO, UNICEF, UNDP, and UNESCO—and 10 international financial institutions.

Russian experts also contributed to the round table discussion. Lilia Ovcharova, HSE University Vice Rector and Director of the Institute for Social Policy, highlighted the value of Brazil's experience in developing effective social protection systems—from employment and education initiatives to child nutrition programmes. Renata Yanbykh, HSE University Professor and Head of the Agrarian Policy Department at the HSE Institute for Agrarian Studies, outlined Russia's growing role in global food security, emphasising both the expansion of agricultural exports and the importance of food cooperation between Russia and Brazil.

Igor Pilipenko, Head of the Financial Cooperation and International Monetary and Financial System Working Group at the BRICS Expert Council – Russia, discussed the Council's ongoing work at HSE University and highlighted the New Development Bank's potential as a financial mechanism for alleviating poverty. Ana Livia Araujo Esteves, Lecturer at HSE University, stressed the necessity for collaborative action between developed and developing nations to address global challenges.

In her concluding remarks, Victoria Panova expressed deep appreciation to Janja Lula da Silva for her personal commitment and leadership, noting that only initiatives "where you put your heart and soul" can drive global change. She extended an invitation for the First Lady to become an Alliance Ambassador within the Women's Twenty framework.

The round table marked a pivotal step in advancing international scientific and humanitarian cooperation, providing substantial momentum to strengthening the Global Alliance as an effective instrument for combating poverty, hunger, and social inequality worldwide.