On the 7-13th of February the Kuban State University carried out an International Winter School for Young Scientists "Debatable Issues of International and Acceptable Security". The school was held in a hybrid format within the framework of the project "War and Peace in the Challenges of European Security (POWERS)". This project aims to create and develop an expert network of 9 leading EU-oriented institutions, based in countries identified as key international players (EU, Middle East, Turkey, Russia). Project lunched in 2018, when nothing foreshadowed the cardinal changes that would occur in the world later. Now the project participants have found new formats of activities, held a number of events remotely, thereby continuing their mission to develop scientific diplomacy.

Representatives of 8 partner universities took part in the work of the international winter school for young scientists: the University of Seville (Spain), the University of Göttingen (Germany), the University of Kore-Enna (Italy), Sciences Po Bordeaux (France), the University of Amman (Jordan), Perm State National Research University, Voronezh State University, Kuban State University, as well as a number of Russian research organizations (IMEMO RAS named after Primakov, St. Petersburg State University, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Astrakhan State University).

The program ofSchool for Young Scientists assumes scientific research on the problems of the project. Dr. Tatiana Romanova, Chair of European Studies from St. Petersburg State University, Professor Paolo Bargiacchi from the Faculty of Law and Economics, Kore University of Enna, Professor Martin Tamke Professor, Faculty of Theology, Georg-AugustUniversity Göttingen, Professor Caroline Dufy, Department Sociology and Political Science, Siences Po Bordeaux and Professor Lyubov Fadeeva, Department of Political Sciences,Perm State National Research University.

During two thematic sessions, 22 young scientists examined the results of their research and received valuable recommendations. Within the framework of the School, two master classes were also held: the head of the Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, Doctor of Medical Sciences of KubSU, Professor Inna Miroshnichenko spoke about scientific grant design, Deputy Chair of the SCOPUS Expert Content Selection & Advisory Committee – Russia, DOAJ Ambassador in Russia, European Association of Science Editors (EASE) Natalia Popova shared information about the production of articles in scientific journals. In addition, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Linguistics and New Information Technologies, Deputy Director of the KubSU International Relations Department Irina Rayushkina presented an educational module on the transfer of data from international academic cooperation in the interests of national security, within the framework of the project.

The final meeting of the School was devoted to the presentation of new books, which was chosen by Deputy Director, Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of RAS Irina Semenenko, Professor Leonid Smorgunov, Head of the Department of Political Governance, St. Petersburg State University , Professor Caroline Dufy, Department Sociology and Political Science, Siences Po Bordeaux and Professor Anna Romanova, Director, Institute of Institute for Southern Russia and Caspian Region Studies, Astrakhan State University.

The International Winter School for Young Scientists ended with an awards ceremony: Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, First Vice-Rector, Professor Temyr Khagurov and project coordinator Professor Elena Morozova awarded certificates to the participants.