On October 26, the Fourth Educational Programme of the All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “SHUM” of the Rosmolodezh.Platform – “SHUM.Journalism. Industry 5.0” for young journalists from Russia and 85 foreign countries kicked off in the Kaliningrad region.
The “SHUM” Forum, in collaboration with the World Youth Festival Directorate, launched an international educational programme, which for the first time brought together journalists from different countries. Participants included young people aged 18 to 35 from Russia and other states: professional and amateur journalists from regional and federal media, citizen journalists, copywriters, social media managers, and media specialists looking to work in the media industry.
The forum platform brought together representatives of the media industry from around the world for an open youth dialogue and discussion on topics of professional development. The programme will allow participants to exchange experience and discuss joint solutions to overcome the challenges faced by journalists worldwide.
In a video address to the programme participants, Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said: “It is a great joy to see and know that Russia is bringing together energetic and vibrant journalists and bloggers, communication specialists, for a common goal – to make the world around us better through truthful and inspiring words. You have chosen an important path – the world of media, where every day we see new challenges but also opportunities. In my opinion, the main thing in this world, in this media flow, is to remain true to your values, to bring light and truth in each of your reports, to try to become the voice of truth and justice. And today, when unfortunately, we see how mass media and communication tools are becoming instruments of manipulation, used to intimidate and control social groups, entire nations, you are tasked with working by the rules of honest journalism”.
The “SHUM.Journalism. Industry 5.0” educational programme is aimed at increasing the knowledge and competencies of journalists from regional and federal media. Through this programme, participants will be able to improve their qualification, enrich their portfolios with interesting cases, evaluate their level of professionalism compared to one of their peers, and get to know representatives of large media holdings and small unique editorial offices.
“The All-Russian Youth Educational Forum 'SHUM' in the Kaliningrad Region brought together young journalists, bloggers, and communicators from 86 countries. It is no coincidence that we invited representatives of the media industry to this platform. During the World Youth Festival, participants from 190 countries created an enormous amount of content that was popular all over the world. And we continue to strengthen this interaction because, in the modern world, the role of journalists and bloggers is greater than ever. They are opinion leaders among representatives of different generations, including youth. The forum provides a unique opportunity to form a true media team, whose participants will exchange experience in the media sphere, build strong communication, and of course, make friends from various parts of our planet”, said Daniil Bisslinger, Advisor on International Affairs to the Head of Rosmolodezh and Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
The programme will feature four tracks: SHUM.News, SHUM.Sports, SHUM.Culture, and SHUM.Entertainment, curated by experts and professionals in the field of journalism.
Experienced experts in various fields of the media industry will assist in exploring trends, among them are: Ruslan Novikov, Director General of the publishing house “Argumenty i Fakty” (Arguments and Facts); Elena Mullanurova, Brand Director of “Argumenty i Fakty” and Head of the Brand Development and Multimedia Projects Directorate; Anna Kovtunova, Head of Educational Projects at RT, Alexander Shenderyuk-Zhidkov, Senator of the Russian Federation and Member of the Federation Council from the Kaliningrad Region, Natalia Maryanchik, columnist at Sports.ru, Andrey Pankov, columnist at Championat.com, Oksana Zotikova, Head of Public Relations at ANO “Moscow Sport” and lecturer at Moscow State University, Evgeny Golovkin, video project editor at “Kultura Urala.RF” (Culture of the Ural.RF), Anna Krasnobayeva, editor at the information agency “Amur life”, Ekaterina Rubekina, TV host, editor, and presenter from the Republic of Belarus, Georgy Ryumin, Creative Producer at Gazprom-Media Holding,Artem Chernomyrdin, expert in entertainment journalism, director, co-founder of “BigRedLab”, and Head of the “international award “Kardo” video contest, Anton Voitsekhovsky, journalist, author of popular science films on the Science channel, and Cannes Festival laureate, Dmitry Mikhaylin, journalist, media manager, and Director General of ANO “Russian Reporters”, Ellina Shafranovich, GR Director at VK, among many others.
"Participation is not only about learning and professional development. Here, everyone already plays an important role in fulfilling the key mission of the media industry – uniting people of different ages, nationalities, confessions, and opinions. Journalism. Industry 5.0 is about well-thought-out solutions capable of benefiting society. Together, the youth of Russia and other countries can build a just future”, said Anna Musevich, Minister of Youth Policy of the Kaliningrad Region.
Young people will also have a series of panel discussions and meetings with international speakers. Topics of the sessions will address modern challenges in journalism and the search for solutions to create a polycentric information field. Participants will also discuss international youth cooperation opportunities to build a just, multipolar world. Experts will include media representatives from Indonesia, India, Brazil, Paraguay, Mali, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Algeria, the Republic of Congo, Argentina, Serbia, Italy, Vietnam, South Africa, Jordan, and others.
As part of the “Spin-doctoring vs. Fact-checking: Shaping Public Opinion in the Media” session, international speakers will discuss key manipulation mechanisms used to form public views and analyze several practical cases of detecting misinformation. Challenges in modern journalism will be discussed with experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Algeria, Indonesia, Italy, and the Republic of Congo. Representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and Serbia will share successful blog promotion cases. The session will also feature a series of discussions on the role of journalism in a modern multipolar world, including separate sessions on working as a journalist in the digital era.
"I believe the forum contributes to establishing connections between young, promising representatives of the media field from various parts of the planet. We came to Russia to form a better understanding of the world and, through being united, create an alternative to Western media. It is important now to build a community of young journalists looking to work without resorting to propaganda and disinformation, avoiding the use of media as a weapon of destruction”, said forum participant Petar Popovich, young journalist and political influencer from Serbia.
Professionals will not only discuss effective methods for solving current tasks in the media sphere but also guide participants in completing tasks from partners. Young journalists will present their solutions for 15 clients, including: Russian Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Youth Policy of the Kaliningrad Region, Ministry of Agriculture of the Kaliningrad Region, World Youth Festival Directorate, Kaliningrad Regional Children and Youth Public Organization “Army of Youth Leaders”, Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Social and Cultural Center “Unforgotten Heritage”, “Western Press” media group, “Cascade” national TV and radio company, “Vishtynetsky” National Park, “Curonian Spit” National Park, National Aikido Council of Russia, “Baltika” football club, “"Lokomotiv – Kaliningrad Region” volleyball club, “Tortomaster” chain of stores. Participants’ solutions will help strengthen the social and cultural integration of Russian media into the international arena, increase youth involvement in state and socially significant activities, and support the development of professional and cultural initiatives at local and federal levels. The knowledge, skills, and connections gained at the forum will enable young specialists to implement advanced ideas and technologies, transforming the media sphere in the country and its role in society.
Over the course of the week, the forum will also feature a city programme for residents and guests of the Kaliningrad Region. On October 30, a motivational SHUM event will be held in the city of Guryevsk. Its goal is to develop participants’ communication skills, introduce them to journalism through practice, and enhance critical thinking. A series of 20-minute workshops for students and anyone interested will cover topics such as “Communicating with Others”, “Public Speaking”, and “Critical Thinking and Fact-checking Information: How to Avoid Buying Fake Medicines and Filter Incoming News”.
The forum is a flagship project and key event of the Year-Round Youth Educational Center “SHUM” by Rosmolodezh, one of 12 such centers were inaugurated by Russian President Vladimir Putin via video conference on April 4, 2024. The format of Year-Round Youth Educational Centers has proven effective in providing opportunities for unlocking young people’s potential. Young specialists receive a unique chance to implement promising projects and find future jobs. Since its opening, the center has organized over 20 in-person events in the Kaliningrad Region and other parts of the country, as well as 15 online events.
The All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “SHUM” is organized by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Government of the Kaliningrad Region. The Forum’s general partners include the Rosatom State Corporation and VK. The international track is implemented in partnership with the World Youth Festival Directorate.
