On 13 October, during a visit to Italy by Ihor Ostash, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Rome between the Academy and the Italian Med-Or Foundation. The Memorandum establishes a framework for partnership in diplomatic training and the development of research in regional studies, particularly African studies.

The signing ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Ihor Ostash and Marco Minniti, President of the Med-Or Foundation. The ceremony was also attended by Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Italy, responsible for security matters, and Ihor Brusило, Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy.

Speaking about the role of diplomacy in countering Russian aggression, Ihor Ostash emphasised: “Diplomacy is not a quiet back office. It is one of our front lines… That is why training diplomats has become a matter of national resilience for Ukraine.”

The Memorandum identifies the following areas of cooperation:

• Cooperation between the Med-Or Virtual Academy (MOVA) and the Diplomatic Academy’s online learning platform, Academia Online, in diplomatic training, as well as joint initiatives and dialogue between Italy, Ukraine and countries of the Global South;

• Engagement of visiting professors in the Academy’s programmes through the Med-Or Foundation’s partner network;

• Establishment of an Africa-focused expert centre at the Diplomatic Academy, drawing on the Foundation’s expertise.

The Italian Med-Or Foundation (Mediterranean Orient) was established in spring 2021 by Leonardo S.p.A., a global leader in aerospace, security and defence. Its permanent members include leading Italian industrial and infrastructure companies, such as Enel, Eni, Fincantieri, Snam, Ferrovie dello Stato and Poste Italiane. Med-Or brings together industry and academia to develop Italy’s partnerships with countries across the Wider Mediterranean, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and South America. The Foundation pays particular attention to African countries participating in Italy’s Mattei Plan.

“Africa is a strategic priority of Ukraine’s foreign policy, and we want our engagement there to be grounded in in-depth knowledge and respect,” the Director of the Academy noted.

Following the signing, a working session was held with the Med-Or team. The parties discussed how to translate the agreement into concrete joint projects.

“The Memorandum is a beginning, not an end. Its value will be measured by the projects that follow: the courses we develop together, the people who take part in them, and the trust that grows between our institutions,” Ihor Ostash emphasised.

We thank the Med-Or Foundation for its hospitality and openness to cooperation!