On August 25, the closing ceremony of the International Association of Children's Organizations (IACO) Meeting was held at the All-Russian Children's Center "Ocean". During the shift, the students participated in team-building events, trainings, workshops. They took part in the "Games of the Peoples of the World" and also worked in teams in 12 areas of IACO, developing projects that they plan to implement in their countries this year. The Movement of the First and the All-Russian Children's Center "Ocean" were the organizers of the event. The World Youth Festival Directorate has become a partner of the international shift "Meeting of the International Association of Children's Organizations".
"The International Association of Children's Organizations Meeting allowed the Movement of the First to unite 200 participants from 11 countries of four continents at the site of the All-Russian Children's Center "Ocean". The students took part in the development of initiatives in 12 areas of IACO's activities, shared experience and ideas on developing cooperation. I am sure that many of the proposed projects, after expert assessment, will become the basis for further cooperation between children's and youth organizations from around the world," shared Hero of Russia, participant of the presidential program "Time of Heroes", Chairman of the Board of the Movement of First, Artur Orlov.
The main goal of the shift was to develop children's diplomacy, establish international cooperation and create projects that will be interesting for children from all over the world and can be implemented in any country. The event was attended by students from Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the USA, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Equatorial Guinea, Switzerland and Russia.
"Three weeks at All-Russian Children's Center "Ocean" became a time of creation for children: they were fully engaged in the development of social projects designed to improve the lives of children and youth. The result of the shift is not only invaluable experience and friendship without borders, but also ready-made projects in 12 areas — volunteerism, ecology, culture, sports, entrepreneurship and others. It is important that they will start implementing them this year in their countries. Such formats as the "Ocean" Shift erase borders and make a significant contribution to the formation of a global community of young leaders united to create a just multipolar world where everyone has a voice and equal opportunities for development," said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
As part of the thematic shift "Meeting of the International Association of Children's Organizations" at the All-Russian Children's Center "Ocean", the participants completed an extensive educational and cultural program. They attended trainings, engaged in social design, played the "Games of the Peoples of the World", staged folk tales, participated in the business game "The World through the eyes of children and youth." One of the highlights of the shift was the traditional "visitality" custom, where participants presented costumes from their countries and regions, were treated national sweets, shared cultural traditions and exchanged souvenirs. They also went on a sightseeing tour of Vladivostok and visited the Primorsky Aquarium.
For five days, the participants of the Project Management development course worked in teams, discussed ideas with experts, and prepared projects for presentation. There were also events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry in Russia. The students took part in a thematic quiz and learned about the history of the peaceful atom, the contribution of scientists and the work of the Rosatom State Corporation. In addition, the "Mr. and Miss Marine Camp" contest was held, where the participants of the Meeting lived. The participant from the USA has become Mr. Marine Camp and the participant from Belarus has become Miss Marine Camp.
"It was an incredibly bright and important shift for me. Only being here I felt how important international communication and teamwork are. I especially remember the interaction with guys from other countries, it inspired me to develop myself in the field of culture, languages and international understanding. Our project in the field of tourism helped to show how it is possible to introduce children to the diversity of Russia through travel and preserve interest in native traditions. I know for sure that this is not the last time I participate in the IACO events. I want to continue participating in projects and contributing to the development of children's diplomacy!", said Victoria Yakovleva, a participant of the IACO Meeting from St. Petersburg.
The key event of the Meeting was the presentation of projects within the framework of the "Project Fair", where participants presented the results of their work in 12 areas of IACO activity. The children enthusiastically talked about their ideas and demonstrated how to turn social design into an exciting and live process. Many participants admitted that for the first time they felt how interesting and creative it can be to approach the creation of projects by presenting them on interactive platforms.
Among the initiatives presented are the "Games of the Peoples of the World" Festival, the IACO Book of Records, a digital encyclopedia of architectural monuments with audio guides and 3D objects, postcards with cultural symbols and QR codes, the MEOW educational platform for developing media skills, as well as an international vocational program based on cultural trips to 12 countries around the world. The participants plan to implement all the projects in their countries this year.
