The Russian-Balkan Youth Forum was held from December 13 to 16, 2022 (arrival day is December 12, 2022, departure day is October 17, 2022) in Ryazan. It brought together youth leaders from Russia and the Balkan countries motivated to develop youth cooperation and to launch joint projects.
The purpose of the event was the development of Russian-Balkan youth cooperation, strengthening of friendly and professional ties between youth leaders of Russia and the Balkan countries.
Tasks:
- to establish friendly and professional relations between youth leaders and youth public associations of Russia and the Balkan countries,
- to discuss the current state of Russian-Balkan youth cooperation and the role of youth in strengthening relations between Russia and the Balkan countries,
- to create conditions for the exchange of experience, further cooperation and development of joint projects between youth leaders and youth public associations of Russia and the Balkan countries,
- to talk about the existing opportunities and resources for the development of Russian-Balkan youth cooperation,
- to develop proposals and recommendations for the development of youth cooperation and forms of interaction between youth leaders of Russia and the Balkan countries.
The Forum was organized jointly by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the National Youth Council of Russia, Yesenin Ryazan State University and MIREA – Russian Technological University with the support of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.
The work of the Forum was carried out in the following areas:
- international cooperation: state and prospects,
- academic cooperation: state and prospects,
- joint initiatives in the field of culture, tourism and media.
Participants: 51 people. They were representatives of youth public organizations, representatives of informal youth associations, public organizations dealing with international youth cooperation, student organizations, young scientists, students and graduate students majoring in "International Relations", young journalists, bloggers, young entrepreneurs, authors of startups, young compatriots living abroad.
Key outcomes:
During the Forum the participants discussed the current state of Russian-Balkan youth cooperation and the role of youth in strengthening relations between Russia and the Balkan countries, exchanged experience and ideas for the further development of cooperation between youth leaders and youth public associations of Russia and the Balkan countries. The participants also met with representatives of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, the National Youth Council of Russia, the Fund for Creative Technologies "Ulyanovsk – the Cultural Capital", the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh), the All-Russian the Public Movement "Volunteers of Victory", the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization "Smart Travel Bureau". The participants discussed possible mechanisms for supporting youth projects and current trends in international youth cooperation.
A master class on building effective communication and self-presentation techniques was also organized for them.
As a result of the Forum the participants improved their skills and competencies in the field of social design and developed joint projects that will facilitate the development of Russian-Balkan youth cooperation. Among them were:
- holding the Russian-Balkan ethno-festival of music and fashion for youth,
- creation of the platform for the study of the Balkan and Russian languages with master classes and conferences (online),
- creation of the platform for professional networking of young people from Russia and the Balkan countries as well as for the development of competencies (for employees of NPOs operating in the field of youth policy and international youth cooperation),
- creation of the platform for the implementation of youth activities (education, culture, business, etc.) in order to develop the Russian-Balkan dialogue,
- creation of an economical and eco-friendly travel project "The guide will simplify the route for himself" aimed at acquainting tourists with the history and culture of Russian and Balkan cities
