A Russian delegation led by Leila Zotova, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), has paid an official visit to Tanzania. The delegation included representatives of the World Youth Festival Directorate, the National Open Championship of Creative Competencies ArtMasters, the Vedomosti media holding, the IT Russia agency, and the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment. During the visit, the delegation held meetings with the leadership of Tanzanian government bodies and with representatives of the education sector, creative industries, media, and youth organizations.
"Supporting children and young people is a national priority for Russia, and we see foreign partners' interest in Russia's experience in youth policy and international cooperation among young people. The delegation from Tanzania plans to take part in one of the largest international events for youth – the International Festival of Youth, which will take place this September in Ekaterinburg. For young people, it is a chance to find friends and like-minded peers from 190 countries, to present their ideas and projects, and to bring them to life through partnership. Russia is open to the world, and we are ready to support young people's ideas aimed at developing intercultural communication, environmental protection, entrepreneurship, and volunteering, including by advancing political and economic relations between our countries," said Leila Zotova, Deputy Head of Rosmolodezh.
On the first day of the visit, a meeting was held with Andrey Avetisyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Tanzania. During the talks, the parties discussed key areas of youth cooperation, including the development of IT infrastructure, cultural exchanges, engagement with bloggers, cooperation in agriculture, and the expansion of educational opportunities for Tanzanian citizens at Russian universities. Particular attention was given to involving Tanzanian youth in Russian programs in film, media, and the creative industries.
At a meeting with Pius Stephen Chaya, Tanzania's Deputy Minister in the President's Office for Planning and Investment, the parties discussed the development of youth entrepreneurship and digital literacy, workforce training for high-tech industries, and the implementation of volunteering programs, academic exchanges, and internships. The Tanzanian side expressed interest in studying Russia's experience in supporting talented youth, developing modern youth infrastructure, and implementing national projects in youth policy.
At the Russian Center for Science and Culture, the Russian delegation met with alumni of the World Youth Festival Directorate's projects and with Tanzanian bloggers. More than 250 participants learned about opportunities to take part in Russian educational and cultural programs, the development of international youth cooperation, and joint media projects.
The Russian delegation also held talks with Mona Mwakalinga, head of Tanzania's National Arts Council and Board of Film, where the parties discussed developing cooperation in the creative industries and supporting young talent. That same day, a meeting was held with Rabia Abdalla Hamid, Secretary of the National Executive Committee of the Party of the Revolution, and Halid Mwinyi, Secretary General of the party's Youth League. The parties discussed the participation of Tanzanian youth in the International Festival of Youth – 2026 and the creation of a dedicated quota for party representatives to pursue education in Russia. In addition, the delegation met with Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority.
The Russian delegation also met with Moses Mwasaga, Director General of the Information and Communication Technologies Commission. The parties discussed prospects for developing long-term cooperation in youth policy, educational exchanges, and workforce training. The Russian side presented the youth support system operating in Russia. In addition, the Russian delegation invited Tanzanian youth to join the global dialogue at the IFY, which will be held as part of the Youth and Children national project from September 11 to 17, 2026. The largest international youth event will bring together 10,000 young leaders from 190 countries to share experience, seek answers to the challenges of our time, and shape a vision of the future.
The Russian delegation also held talks with Joel Nanauka, Tanzania's Minister for Youth Development. The parties discussed developing bilateral cooperation in youth policy, exchanging best practices, and launching joint educational programs. The Tanzanian side learned about Russia's experience in building a modern youth support system, including the implementation of national projects and the development of a network of youth centers. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to launch internships for young Tanzanian citizens at Russian enterprises, to provide access to Russian courses on entrepreneurship, tourism, and other fields in English and Swahili, and to invite Tanzanian youth to take part in the youth days of Russia's largest business forums, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum. In addition, Minister Joel Nanauka expressed his readiness to sign a memorandum of cooperation with Rosmolodezh and the Movement of the First.
The Russian delegation also invited its Tanzanian partners to take part in the II Global Digital Forum, which will be held on October 8–10, 2026, in Moscow.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
In line with the Russian President’s instructions to preserve and further develop the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across the Russian Federation. In 2025, the World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will welcome 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will take place in 2030.
The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a global community of young people committed to shaping a better future.