From July 23 to 25, an official visit of Russian youth organizations to the Republic of Abkhazia took place. The delegation included representatives of the World Youth Festival Directorate, the All-Russian student project "Your Move", Russian student brigades (RSO), the Russian Union of Youth (RSM), the Movement of the First and Rospatriotcenter.
«We actively support our Abkhaz partners in modernizing the youth policy system, relying on many years of Russian experience. During meetings with relevant government bodies, educational and public organizations, Russian delegates presented successful practices and methods of working with youth, and worked out issues of creating representative offices of Russian youth organizations and developing local initiatives. The Abkhaz side demonstrates a sincere interest in the Russian model of youth policy and a willingness to adapt it. We, in turn, are completely open to interaction. This visit is another step towards the emergence of a modern, effective youth policy system in the Republic, which, as in Russia, will give every young person the opportunity to realize their potential in any area - from science and entrepreneurship to creativity and social activities», — said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
Thus, at a meeting with the leadership of the Abkhaz State University, the delegates presented key projects and opportunities for involving young students. The integration of Abkhaz students into the Russian student brigades and "Your Move" programs, the development of student self-government and labor projects, including the organization of the activities of the Russian student brigades representative office in Abkhazia were discussed.
A meeting was also held with representatives of the State Committee of the Republic of Abkhazia for Youth Affairs and Sports. The main topics were patriotic education and youth leadership, the implementation of joint projects in the field of culture and student self-government, the creation of the "Abkhaz Union of Youth" similar to the Russian student brigades, as well as Abkhazia's participation in the programs of Rospatriotcenter, the All-Russian student project "Your Move" and the Movement of the First.
An understanding was reached that it is important not only to broadcast the best practices of Russia in the field of youth policy, but also to adapt them to the needs of the youth of Abkhazia. The activities of the project office of the World Youth Festival Directorate in Abkhazia were separately presented, including its goals, current initiatives and plans for the development of international youth cooperation.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First Marat Zakirov also held a meeting with the Minister of Education of Abkhazia, Hana Gunba. The parties discussed educational and cultural exchanges for schoolchildren, and outlined plans for the repeat of the School Diplomacy Clubs campaign, which has already united more than 100 schools around the world, including 13 Abkhaz schools.
As part of the project, children not only communicate online, but also hold internal events: they talk about the countries of the partner clubs, develop tourist routes for their regions to share with their foreign friends. This is an incredibly valuable experience for the formation of an open worldview and the development of intercultural dialogue.
«Cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia in the field of youth policy is a bridge between generations, which is built on mutual respect, trust and the desire for development. We are creating a space of opportunities where every young person, regardless of whether he lives in Russia or Abkhazia, can realize his potential, find like-minded people and contribute to strengthening the friendship between our peoples, participate in educational and cultural programs. Together we are shaping the future, in which the youth of the two countries will move forward hand in hand, creating new projects and opening up new horizons», – noted Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First Marat Zakirov.
The key events of the visit were two panel discussions - "The Importance of International Youth Policy" and "How Youth Activity Changes Approaches to Education", in which representatives of the Abkhaz State University and schoolchildren took part. The speakers of the discussions were representatives of Russian youth organizations and relevant authorities of the Republic of Abkhazia.
The discussion covered priority topics: the role of youth as a driving force in the transformation of youth policy in Russia and Abkhazia, the importance of preserving and developing the cultural identity of countries, the formation of sustainable ties through youth policy, as well as participation in international youth events.
The visit confirmed mutual interest in the development of youth policy and opened up new opportunities for joint projects aimed at developing leadership skills, forming a patriotic identity and actively involving young people in the socio-economic processes of the two countries.
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 World Youth Festival Forum, and in between, international themed assemblies for 2,000 participants will be held under the auspices of the WYF. The first Assembly is scheduled to take place in September 2025 in Nizhny Novgorod. 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.
