SUMMER 2024 was eventful for African youth. 9More than 40 participants visited Russian cultural destinations, its top innovative nuclear facilities and even boarded a nuclear icebreaker, while checking out the North Pole.

Two teams from Africa arrived to Russia in August 2024. One joined together 20 winners of Atoms Empowering Africa competition from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Sudan in Moscow to see the best cultural destinations of the capital. Another led young participants from South Africa, Tunisia, Cameroon and other countries from all over the continents to Murmansk to an expedition “Icebreaker of Knowledge – 2024”, where they boarded the real nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.

The guests who arrived to Moscow were the winners of the Atoms Empowering Africa video contest, organised by Rosatom. In their creative works, the students talked about the potential and future of nuclear energy in Africa.

The winners were awarded a trip to Russia, where they visited several nuclear energy facilities. The city of Obninsk was one of the main stops along the way. At the world’s first nuclear power plant, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024, the students learned the history of the birth of the Soviet nuclear project, visited the reactor hall, the central and dosimetric control panel, as well as the office of the plant director. The winners also checked out the Atom and Cosmos pavilions at VDNH in Moscow and the city’s iconic landmarks.

“It is very insightful to see everything, starting from history, because it leads you right through where it started in terms of nuclear energy and its application across the world, and it brings you to what it is today. I am grateful for the opportunity to see this; I definitely have a little something to take with me back home”, Kamogelo Sehoole, a participant from South Africa, mentioned.

At the same time in Murmansk, a team of talented schoolchildren from countries where Rosatom is developing projects in the field of nuclear technologies made the journey to the top of the planet and back on board the icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.

The expedition members on the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy covered 2979 miles. They discovered the North Pole and saw breath-taking landscapes of the Franz Josef Land archipelago. They came across icebergs, walruses and whales. Unfortunately, this time the crew did not see polar bears, but this may be the great reason to return to the Arctic.

During the expedition, there was also the northernmost lecture hall with performances held by scientists and science ambassadors. Recordings of the lectures and a documentary series about the life of an international team of schoolchildren were made on board. The head of the first continental expedition “Russia. 360”, traveler Bogdan Bulychev also conducted test trials of the local all-terrain ATV “Rys” at the North Pole. The tests confirmed the readiness to conduct an autonomous expedition to the North Pole on ATVs in 2026. In addition, a world record was set at the pole – the first fastest round-the-world trip on an ATV. The icebreaker also screened the science fiction film “One Hundred Years Ago”. It was introduced to the expedition participants by the leading actor, laureate of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival Mark Eidelstein.

Jules Marcel Keutchanga, expert from Cameroon stated: “I am honored and thrilled to join the expedition to the Arctic aboard a nuclear icebreaker. This journey represents not only a rare opportunity to explore one of the most remote and fragile regions on our planet but also to contribute to scientific research that can have a global impact. I look forward to observing the unique ecosystems, studying the extreme conditions, and sharing my expertise in energy, mechanical engineering, computer science in fact valuable insights that can drive innovation and sustainable solutions for the future. I would like to gain about other cultures, scientific exchange and discuss with all the participants. Rosatom gives me the opportunities to be an African in the North Pole. Really grateful. At the end, I dream to work with Rosatom in any way and represent Rosatom in the future in my country”.

Such events as Atoms Empowering Africa and “Icebreaker of Knowledge – 2024” have an important mission: to spark curiosity about science and pave the way for a sustainable energy future for Africa. Summer 2024 has shown that inspiration, new acquaintances and a dedicated love for your work that you gain along the way can make life truly “borderless” and “discoverful”.

Participant visited Russian cultural destinations and its top innovative nuclear facilities and even boarded a nuclear icebreaker.