Alexandra Kuznetsova, Coordinator of the WYFD International Friendship Club, presented the project "School of International Friendship" to the experts of the Rosmolodezh.Grants competition within the framework of the Baikal International Youth Forum. The project is recommended for support in the amount of 500,000 rubles.

The School of International Friendship is a series of cultural and educational events that will be held throughout the year for international students, participants of the WYFD International Friendship Clubs and all those who are interested in developing international cooperation. The project will include conversation clubs, intercultural communication courses, creative and cooking workshops, educational lectures, as well as guided tours of Irkutsk and the club's partner country, Jordan.

"For me, the development of international youth cooperation in the Irkutsk region is one of the goals that I have set for my work. The School of International Friendship project will allow Russian and foreign participants of the WYFD International Friendship Club who study in educational institutions in the region not only gain new skills in international relations and intercultural communication, but also get acquainted with Russian culture and initiate the creation of their own projects in the field of international youth cooperation. The main target group will be international students in the Irkutsk Region and members of the International Friendship Club. Activities of the project will aim to facilitate the process of social and cultural adaptation," said Alexandra Kuznetsova, coordinator of the WYFD International Friendship Club.

She also noted that the events within the framework of the School of International Friendship would help to create an atmosphere of the World Youth Festival, and participants would be able to experience the importance of bringing together young people from around the world.

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 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.