Panel discussion featuring animation elements:“From stereotype to new cultural imagery: How animation shifts public perception of the agricultural industry”

Russia’s agricultural sector is currently undergoing a transformation of its workforce model aimed at addressing the talent shortage. By 2032, the industry will require at least 42,000 new professionals across core disciplines alone, including agronomists, livestock specialists, and veterinarians.

However, the competition for talent unfolds not only in the labour market but also within the media landscape. While sectors such as IT, aerospace, and medicine boast vivid heroes and compelling narratives, the modern agricultural industry must establish its own cultural imagery. Experience demonstrates that animation has the unique capacity to render complex scientific and technological achievements emotionally accessible and appealing to children and youth. In doing so, it transforms the sector from an “invisible infrastructure” into a field where young people wish to build their futures. It is precisely this form of dialogue – driven by art, emotion, and collaborative creativity – that builds the very bridge of trust required to unite generations and technologies.

The session will consist of three parts and focus on creating new cultural imagery of the agricultural sector through animation, making the industry more attractive to the younger generation. The discussion will open with speakers examining examples from Soviet animation alongside contemporary works delivered under the “AgroArt” project, illustrating how perceptions of agriculture in culture have evolved. This will be followed by a pitch session, during which young creators will present 3–4 animated videos on agriculture, receiving expert comments and live feedback. The session will conclude with an audience vote and the announcement of a “People’s Choice Award”, reinforcing the core principle of an ecosystem of trust between business, academia and the creative community as a basis for developing the sector’s long-term talent pool.

Can animation reshape the image of agriculture for the better and elevate the sector’s visibility? What storylines have the potential to engage teenagers in agritech, bioengineering, and other professions of the future? How can we unite screenwriters, scientists, agribusinesses, and the state to create genuine cultural products rather than mere promotional videos? These and other questions will be addressed by the panel discussion participants.

Round table: “The ecosystem of trust in nuclear medicine: Achieving technological leadership through the convergence of business, academia, education, and government”

Technological leadership is one of Russia’s key national priorities, shaping its competitiveness and influence on the global stage. Achieving this status requires a systematic approach across the entire spectrum, from fundamental research to the deployment of breakthrough solutions in the real economy. In this context, nuclear medicine occupies a special position – it is an area in which Russia has traditionally had robust capabilities, while its potential for a breakthrough is considered high. The country ranks among the global leaders in nuclear technology and the production of radionuclides in demand for healthcare.

However, consolidating and strengthening these positions requires more than a strong technological base. It is critical to build an ecosystem of trust between regulators, radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, medical centres and educational institutions in partner countries. Trust is the core pre-condition for multicentre clinical trials, the harmonisation of quality standards, mutual recognition of test results, and the safe circulation of radiopharmaceutical medicinal products.

The key factors in achieving technological leadership within nuclear medicine are the advanced development of technologies and training highly qualified professionals. Failing to secure specialists equipped with core competencies in nuclear medicine, physics, radiobiology, radiochemistry, and clinical dosimetry makes it impossible to guarantee sovereignty within critical medical technologies. This necessitates a systemic overhaul of approaches to medical education – spanning from fundamental training to practice-oriented pathways tailored to the needs of national healthcare systems.

The Russian educational system traditionally attracts international interest owing to its foundational character, academic depth, and a diverse portfolio of curricula. Training international students at Russian universities fosters a long-term commitment to domestic technological and clinical frameworks. This, in turn, establishes the groundwork for expanding export potential, developing medical tourism, and building collaborative supply chains.

Systematic government support measures play an important role in this process, including the harmonisation of the classification of medical specialties, mutual recognition of qualifications based on intergovernmental agreements, and initiatives by universities, public organisations and diplomatic missions to promote Russian education and culture. Coordinated efforts by all stakeholders will not only expand the international reach of Russian programmes but also strengthen Russia’s image as a reliable partner in science, education and high-tech medicine.

How can Russia’s reputation as a leading nation in the field of nuclear medicine be strengthened? Which measures are required to promote Russian technologies and education within the nuclear medicine sector across the CIS and BRICS+ countries? How can international medical tourism within the nuclear medicine field be developed? These and other questions will be addressed by the discussion participants.

Round table: “The educational ecosystem of trust: The convergence of science, culture, and spiritual traditions”

The educational ecosystem of trust contributes to the convergence of science, culture, and government to achieve the national goal: “Realising the potential of each individual, developing their talents, and nurturing patriotic and socially responsible individuals”. Unlocking the creative potential of every child should be regarded as a fundamental task of the school, rather than an optional or secondary activity.

Today, a humanities education is essential to complement professional skills to shape the worldview of future generations. It is vital for instilling a positive lifestyle and a world perception among young people – one where spiritual and moral values take precedence over material and economic ones. Sociocultural projects that harmoniously integrate education, science, and culture based on traditional spiritual and moral values are becoming a key instrument within the ecosystem of trust.

Roundtable participants will share insights on how to integrate science and culture into a single, comprehensive worldview, encompassing a diversity of complementary languages and perspectives essential for forming a well-rounded and balanced personality. They will also explore the prerequisites for the holistic development of an individual, and what education of the future should look like, as well as why creative practices within the educational system serve as the bedrock for the balanced development of all aspects of a child's personality and creative capabilities.

What should constitute the humanities core of education in the future? How can the humanities dimension be integrated into engineering, technical, and scientific education? Which creative and cultural practices are most impactful at different developmental age stages? How can music, theatre, literature, and art be seamlessly embedded into the standard academic curriculum? These and other questions will be addressed by the roundtable participants.