World Public Assembly Calls for Creation of World Council of Rectors
Moscow, Russia
The First World Public Assembly (WPA) “New World of Conscious Unity” has produced a landmark resolution among global academic leaders: the establishment of a World Council of Rectors to strengthen international cooperation in education, research, and youth engagement.
The announcement came during the Panel Session “International Cooperation: Science and Education” and subsequent meetings at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), where rectors and representatives of universities from Russia, the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions convened alongside government officials, education experts, and public figures.
Opening the discussion, Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary General of the WPA, stressed the urgency of protecting the minds of future generations:
“We have gathered, concerned about who our descendants will grow up to be. Today, everything must be done to get our children away from gadgets, which cause a lot of garbage to settle in their heads. Education is now one of the most important problems in our world.”
Former Prime Minister of Jordan, Adnan Badran, emphasized education’s humanistic mission:
“Universities are our future in scientific research. It is our task as rectors to cultivate the seeds of kindness, peace, and love between nations. We must keep up with the transformation taking place in the world and sow the seeds of humanism and peace from early childhood.”
Discussions highlighted the opportunities and risks posed by new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.
Dr. Firas Turki Abdulaziz Muslimawi, Member of Iraq’s Parliamentary Education Committee, said:
“We look very carefully at the processes related to AI in order to exclude various negative processes that may occur in the future.”
Former Yemeni President Ali Nasser Muhammad delivered a strong message of peace, saying:
“Peace can be realized only if there is justice, equality and consideration of the interests of all peoples. We must adhere to dialogue and peace; we must not listen to the voices of weapons and wars.”
During their visit to MGIMO, participants discussed launching an International Forum of University Youth, developing a global university ranking system, and expanding academic exchange programs.
MGIMO Rector Academician Anatoly Torkunov welcomed the guests and highlighted the university’s longstanding tradition in Arabic studies:
“Today, more than 400 students study Arabic at MGIMO, and our student exchanges with universities in the Middle East are actively developing.”
The highlight of the meeting was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Andrey Belyaninov and Salah Abdulhasan Kadhim, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Mamoun University (Iraq). The Iraqi side expressed its hope for the opening of a representative office of the WPA in Iraq.
The participants collectively agreed on the creation of a World Council of Rectors, which will serve as a platform to coordinate efforts in education, science, and cultural dialogue worldwide.