Final of the V International Competition “Leader of Public Diplomacy”. The Second Day: Projects, International Dialogue and Space
The second day of the final of the V International Competition “Leader of Public Diplomacy” took place on September 17, 2026 in Moscow. Let us recall that the first day was dedicated to team-building training and participants getting to know one another, while the summing up of the competition became an important part of the World Public Assembly “New World: Values That Unite.”
The second day was dedicated to self-presentations by the competition participants, who had come to the final with their ideas, projects, stories, and desire to change the world around them.
Throughout the day, the finalists spoke about how the idea for their project began, what stages had already been completed, and how their plans are being brought to life. A special atmosphere was added to the presentations by video materials prepared by the participants themselves and their teams. Through videos, photographs, and personal stories, one could see not only the final result, but also the path each team had traveled to achieve it.
Each project was unique in its own way, but they were all united by one thing — the desire to create real change and find like-minded people beyond their own countries and communities. Among the initiatives presented were:
the project “Cuisine Without Borders,” introducing the traditions and culture of different peoples through cooking;
the initiative to create South Africa’s first digital cooperative bank, Bankineer;
the BOLD program for developing leadership qualities and digital entrepreneurship;
India’s and Asia’s first web channel, Hunar TV, entirely dedicated to the creative economy;
the project “Enishi” (translated as “Connection of Destinies”), bringing together concerts, festivals, exhibitions, national costume shows, master classes, and competitions;
a series of screenings of Russian cinema in Pamplona.
— The meeting became much more than just a series of presentations. It is a space for communication, exchange of experience, and acquaintance with people who work in the most diverse spheres and cultures. It is precisely in such meetings that opportunities for future cooperation appear, partnerships are formed, and, most importantly, bridges are built between people and countries, — the organizers said.
The self-presentations were evaluated by the competition’s experts. Based on the results, laureates of various degrees were determined in each nomination.
Participants were also given a personalized analytical document with recommendations — an Individual Development Trajectory Map. It was compiled on the basis of the application materials with the help of AI.
— Today AI is not just a technological trend, but a powerful tool that is being actively and widely introduced around the world to assist public leaders, diplomats, and NGOs, — the organizers note.
After the presentation part, the participants split into two groups. One went to the Museum of Cosmonautics and met with cosmonauts, while the other went on a tour of Moscow’s landmarks.
At the meeting “Space at First Hand: 20 Years of the First Russian-Brazilian Space Mission,” the competition participants were addressed by Brazil’s first astronaut, Marcos Pontes, and Russian test cosmonaut Valery Tokarev — direct participants in the first Russian-Brazilian space mission. Marcos Pontes told his story — about his childhood and his dream of space, about how he worked toward becoming the first citizen of Brazil to travel into space, and what trials he faced along the way.
Behind every great dream lie years of work, difficult decisions, the need to give something up, and the need to overcome circumstances that at first glance may seem insurmountable. The story of Marcos Pontes became exactly such an example — a personal and very human account of the path to a dream.
Valery Tokarev also shared memories of the joint flight and the subsequent interaction. Thanks to his account, the participants were able to see the historic mission not only as an event in the chronicle of cosmonautics, but also as the story of people who found themselves together in one of humanity’s most unusual journeys.
Despite the fact that 20 years have passed since that mission, judging by the cosmonauts’ account, it seemed as though the events had happened quite recently. The details of the flight, the memories, the emotions, and the personal stories created a sense of direct presence — as if the participants in the meeting had been transported for a few hours to those very days when the cosmonauts had just returned from the International Space Station.
After the presentation, the guests were able to ask their questions and communicate personally with the cosmonauts. Photographs and autographs remain as mementos, and most importantly — the impressions from meeting people whose memories have already become part of the history of space exploration.
The second group of competition finalists went on an excursion program. The participants were able to get acquainted with the beauties of Moscow and see the city from a new side. They visited Sparrow Hills, Moscow State University, Victory Park, the Stalin’s high-rises, the White House, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Bolshoi Theatre, and, of course, Red Square and Zaryadye Park.
From projects being created here and now to the stories of people who once decided to go beyond the familiar and travel into space — this day once again showed how much can unite people from different countries. This is precisely the main value of such meetings: to get acquainted, to listen, to share one’s ideas, and together create a space in which distances between countries become significantly smaller.
Additional information is available on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly and at media@world-assembly.org.
