International Space Partnership: A Memorandum of Cooperation has been signed between the UNITY Foundation and the Exploration Educational Project
Space has the power to change people's minds and inspire humanity to cooperate – participants in the panel discussion at the World Public Assembly, which brought together astronauts, scientists, artists and humanitarian leaders, agreed on this.
30.09.2025
This position is based on the so—called "review effect" - the psychological state that astronauts experience when looking at the Earth from space. Yuri Gagarin, who was the first to experience this feeling, said: "People, let's keep this beauty, not destroy it." After him, millions of people on the planet felt the same way when they saw the famous "Earthrise" shot taken by the crew of Apollo 8 during a flyby of the Moon in 1968. In the photo, the Earth was rising above the lunar horizon, instead of the Sun above the Earth's surface, which is familiar to humans. In a matter of days, this photo flew around all countries and continents and appeared on the covers of the most fashionable and respectable magazines, which attracted enormous attention from people and marked the beginning of a new awareness of the problems of humanity – from environmental to geopolitical.
And it was the "review effect" that became the heart of the "Cosmos is a Space of Peace, Trust and Cooperation" discussion. The participants reflected on how Space helps us to get to know ourselves better and teaches us to take care of the planet.
The session featured a joint address by Russian cosmonaut Denis Matveev and American astronaut Dzhihangir Eyman, speeches by representatives of Roscosmos on international missions, the history of cooperation on the ISS and the Soyuz–Apollo handshake, which formed the basis of space diplomacy. Despite disagreements on Earth, the 16 ISS partner countries maintain dialogue and cooperation on Earth, as confirmed by the meeting of the heads of Roscosmos and NASA in 2025.
The panel discussion featured a story about how Space becomes the language of art, design, and photography, bringing together different cultures. The BRICS Universe photo project presented the Earth through the eyes of humans and astronauts, and the President of the “Nauka. Art. Technologies" Foundation, an expert in impression economics and cultural heritage, author of unique exhibition projects and professional skills development programs Elena Orlova showed how Space Age technologies are turning into art.
And it was the "review effect" that became the heart of the "Cosmos is a Space of Peace, Trust and Cooperation" discussion. The participants reflected on how Space helps us to get to know ourselves better and teaches us to take care of the planet.
The session featured a joint address by Russian cosmonaut Denis Matveev and American astronaut Dzhihangir Eyman, speeches by representatives of Roscosmos on international missions, the history of cooperation on the ISS and the Soyuz–Apollo handshake, which formed the basis of space diplomacy. Despite disagreements on Earth, the 16 ISS partner countries maintain dialogue and cooperation on Earth, as confirmed by the meeting of the heads of Roscosmos and NASA in 2025.
The panel discussion featured a story about how Space becomes the language of art, design, and photography, bringing together different cultures. The BRICS Universe photo project presented the Earth through the eyes of humans and astronauts, and the President of the “Nauka. Art. Technologies" Foundation, an expert in impression economics and cultural heritage, author of unique exhibition projects and professional skills development programs Elena Orlova showed how Space Age technologies are turning into art.
"Space is a victory of reason and labor, but without beauty and humanity, this victory loses its meaning. An interdisciplinary approach to space exploration is needed, and the importance of studying it for the development of mankind is immeasurable. To solve problems related to space, we need to integrate science, art and technology," the cultural scientist emphasized.
The participants of the platform paid special attention to space medicine and humanitarian initiatives. Raksana Batsmanova, a specialist in nursing with more than 20 years of experience, author of educational programs, trainings, and methodological manuals for medical personnel, spoke about her 12 years of experience working in NASA's international medical team: "Both Space and medicine have no borders," the speaker noted.
Alyona Kuzmenko, President of the UNITY Charitable Foundation, a scholarship holder of the Karman 2024 international program for space leaders, moderated the panel session and presented the participants with the art project "Rocket of Dreams", which gives hope to children with cancer. This is a unique idea at the intersection of humanitarian aid, science and art. The project is part of the program of the UNITY Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Roscosmos State Corporation:
Alyona Kuzmenko, President of the UNITY Charitable Foundation, a scholarship holder of the Karman 2024 international program for space leaders, moderated the panel session and presented the participants with the art project "Rocket of Dreams", which gives hope to children with cancer. This is a unique idea at the intersection of humanitarian aid, science and art. The project is part of the program of the UNITY Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Roscosmos State Corporation:
"Our project is space art therapy. Here, children who are faced with cancer, draw their dreams together with astronauts and artists. It combines art therapy, psychological support, and an important humanitarian mission, which is revealed through the theme of space. The Dream Rocket is more than just launching drawings into space, it is a powerful emotional support for children in treatment, who need to feel part of a big cause."
The final chord of the site's work was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the UNITY Foundation and the Exploration Pakistani educational project. Its founder, Yumna Majid from Pakistan, recalled:
"There is only one way to achieve your goal — to confidently follow it. Space education helps to raise responsible and conscious children, uniting countries and continents."
Today, Yumna Majid is an international speaker and founder of the Exploration organization, which has organized programs for more than 22,000 schoolchildren in Pakistan over the past nine years. Her activities contribute to the popularization of science and technology among young people.
Yumna cooperates with various space agencies around the world and helps girls and boys discover the possibilities of science and space. Her achievements have been recognized with many awards, including the Diana Award, the Pride of Pakistan Award, the Asia Pacific Space Leadership Award, and others. In addition, she received recognition from the United Nations for her leadership in gender equality in space and was invited to lead the Department of Space Education in the Pakistani government — being one of the youngest women in this position.
The discussion showed that space is not only about science and technology. It is a space of trust, peaceful dialogue and inspiration that unites continents, countries and people for the sake of the Earth's future.
Yumna cooperates with various space agencies around the world and helps girls and boys discover the possibilities of science and space. Her achievements have been recognized with many awards, including the Diana Award, the Pride of Pakistan Award, the Asia Pacific Space Leadership Award, and others. In addition, she received recognition from the United Nations for her leadership in gender equality in space and was invited to lead the Department of Space Education in the Pakistani government — being one of the youngest women in this position.
The discussion showed that space is not only about science and technology. It is a space of trust, peaceful dialogue and inspiration that unites continents, countries and people for the sake of the Earth's future.
