African Youth Introduced to Key WYF Directorate’s Initiatives and Projects
April 24 featured a panel discussion “Aspects of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation. Russian Projects for African Youth” as part of the “Russia–Africa: What’s Next” Forum and the first Forum of Young Diplomats “Russia – Africa”. Speakers included Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
Mr. Ivanov spoke about the WYF Directorate’s flagship projects and key areas of cooperation with African countries.
“We are building solid cooperation with African countries in youth policy. 60% of Africa’s population is youth aged under 25. In this regard, Africa is one of the world’s ‘youngest’ continents. It was the WYF 2024, where we witnessed many informal, friendly contacts established between youth from Russia and Africa. The Festival brought together young leaders from 190 countries, including 1,000 people from 51 African countries. On the instruction of the Russian President, festival events will be held in our country annually. What’s even more important is that today we are creating a comprehensive system of youth policy experience exchange and involving African youth in projects and opportunities available in Russia. We continuously expand the engagement of African youth in forum events in our country, invite them to join the Year-Round Youth Educational Centers, and, of course, share experience and implement a series of joint projects and initiatives with our partners in African countries – over 120 of them”, shared Dmitry Ivanov.
He invited youth to join Year-Round Youth Educational Centers and the World Youth Festival Assembly, expected to take place in September in Nizhny Novgorod and bring together 1,000 Russian and 1,000 international participants. Follow the link to apply.
On April 22-25, MGIMO University hosted the “Russia–Africa: What’s Next” Forum and the first Forum of Young Diplomats “Russia–Africa”. The World Youth Festival Directorate became one of the Festival partners.
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 World Youth Festival Forum, 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.