The SHUM Youth Media Development Center announces the start of registration for the “Academy of Strategic Communications” training program for government-oriented media managers. Its target audience will be federal and regional journalists, press service specialists, media technologists, editors, content creators, and digital content producers - all those who shape the public agenda.

"Today we are launching an integrated training system for new management in the Russian media sphere — the “Academy of Strategic Communications”. Together, we will form a strong community of media managers and media teams, for whom the basic values of state development are an inner core, a source of meaning and creative power. The program sets a common conceptual and integral foundation, and its students will learn how to design a space for public dialogue and shape the image of Russia of tomorrow in the public space," said Alexey Zharich, Deputy Head of the Office of the Russian Federation for Public Projects.

According to the organizers of the program, it is being created in response to the crumbling of the familiar world order and the associated increase in information risks and the changing, cross-border nature of the media environment, the challenges of the digital age. The “Academy of Strategic Communications” should become a platform that will form a talent pool and a professional community of media managers who are able to work in accordance with the logic of national priorities and strategic development goals of the country.

"In the context of the digital transformation of society, it depends on the younger generation what the Russian information space will be like. Therefore, within the framework of the national “Youth and Children” project, the SHUM Center and the country's leading educational and media organizations are launching a unique program, the “Academy of Strategic Communications”. Its mission is to form a new generation of media managers who are able not only to create high-quality and valuable content, but also to effectively manage in the information field. This comprehensive modular program combines the best practices and expertise of leading government and business organizations," said Grigory Gurov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs.

The purpose of the program is to form a systematic understanding of the current political situation and its historical background, a fundamental understanding of the value foundations of Russian society, and immerse listeners in the specifics of the modern media environment. The program participants will also gain valuable applied skills. They will master AI tools for working with digital products, take courses in media analytics and media culture, learn how to manage information risks and build sustainable communication strategies. Training at the “Academy of Strategic Communications” in 2026 will take place from March to December, in online and full-time formats. First, participants will take an online orientation session on the digital platform "Russia - the Land of Opportunities", and then they will be selected through a competitive process. Based on the results of the selection, the best students can continue their full-time studies in specialized modules.

"The Directorate of the World Youth Festival actively cooperates with the SHUM Center. Together, we consistently develop international media projects and create platforms for professional interaction between young professionals from different countries. In 2025, we have successfully implemented a number of joint initiatives. So, last year, with the support of the Directorate, 50 media specialists from 16 countries joined the SHUM forum. Together with Russian participants, they created content, worked on projects and analyzed real media cases, forming a professional international community. This year our cooperation continues to develop. We are planning to launch the International Content Center as well as an international school for content creators and influencers. This platform will bring together young authors from different countries interested in creating modern media content and developing intercultural dialogue. I am sure this project will become another important platform for sharing experience, joint initiatives and strengthening international professional ties," said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

The full-time program includes 11 modules in Moscow and Kaliningrad, as well as a flagship module in the Senezh Management Workshop. The educational year will end with the National Media Forum in December 2026 at the National Center "Russia". The content of the program is formed by key partners: the Presidential Platform "Russia – the Land of Opportunities", the Technology Company VK, the Institute for Internet Development, “Dialog” ANO and “Dialog Regions” ANO, “Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies” ANO, the Expert Institute for Social Research, the World Youth Festival Directorate, the Presidential Academy, The National Research University of Higher School of Economics, RT and the “Workshop of New Media”.

The organizer of the “Academy of Strategic Communications” training program for government-oriented media managers is the SHUM Youth Media Development Center, co-organizer of the Presidential Platform digital program "Russia - the Land of Opportunities". The “Academy of Strategic Communications” is being implemented with the support of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation as part of the national “Youth and Children” project.

Overview:

The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 at “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.

In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod in 2025 and brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will be gather 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030.

The World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation and developing a community of young people who care about the future of the world.