Social Projects and Volunteering: Foreign and Russian Experts Discussed Best International Humanitarian Practices at International Forum of Civic Participation #WEARETOGETHER
On December 6, the International Forum of Civic Participation #WEARETOGETHER featured panel discussions devoted to the best practices of implementing social projects at the global level.
The Forum is supported by the World Youth Festival Directorate which ensured participation of over 100 foreign representatives from 37 countries. Among them are young activists and leaders of humanitarian projects from France, Mexico, India, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Jordan, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Senegal, Palestine, Peru, Iraq, Ghana, Pakistan, Malaysia, Morocco, Denmark, Republic of Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Algeria, Brunei, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Colombia, Lithuania.
As part of the “Everyone Can Do It: How One Person Can Change the World” session, foreign experts from Zimbabwe, Oman, Belarus and Tajikistan noted that these days any representative of the younger generation can do something of use. For example, Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika, youth activist and expert in educational programmes from Zimbabwe, noted that young people from Africa seek to take part in volunteer, cultural and educational projects.
“One person’s actions, even if they seem to be minor ones, can change the world both for the better and the worse. That’s why young people should take an active part in shaping our future and present. And youth actually strive to do that. Every day, we watch with enthusiasm representatives of the younger generation do good for the benefit of our common world. And individual actions prompt and inspire other young innovators to solve problems in education, health and many other fields,” noted Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika, youth activist and expert in educational programmes from Zimbabwe.
During the “How to Create a Youth Social Project and Scale It Internationally” session, Russian experts presented methods of creating and expanding social programmes globally, best tools for building international partnerships and attracting attention of a global audience.
“The ‘Russian Language Ambassadors” volunteer programme is a great example of how a university initiative turned out to be a truly international project. The Russian Language Ambassadors travel to other countries where they familiarize foreign school and university students with the Russian language, our culture, literature and scientific achievements using interactive formats, as well as motivate them to enter Russian universities. Moreover, the Ambassadors develop intercultural dialogue by getting to know the culture and traditions of the receiving party. Children and young people share information about their country with great pleasure. Additionally, their communication continues after the expedition is over too as volunteers often offer help in learning Russian further,” said Svetlana Ulyanova, Head of the “Russian Language Ambassadors in the World” International Volunteer Programme.
During the third discussion “From Cliches to Understanding: Debunking Stereotypes Through Social Projects”, forum participants learned about public and volunteer initiatives that contribute to reducing intercultural barriers and strengthening mutual understanding among representatives of different countries. The initiatives were presented by foreign experts from Ghana, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Mauritania and Kazakhstan.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, 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.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the International Youth Festival, and in between, international themed gatherings and events will be held under the auspices of the WYF. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.