Russia in the World: Best Youth Policy Practices Presented at UN Headquarters in New York
The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in New York hosted a discussion on best youth policy practices, measures to support youth-led initiatives, methods of international cooperation, and successful Russian projects. The panel session “Russia as a Showcase of Leading Youth Policy Standards” was organized by the World Youth Festival (WYF) Directorate with the support of Rosmolodezh (the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs), the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Chamber of Young Legislators under the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN.
The discussion included representatives of key Russian youth policy organizations. Dmitry Chumakov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, delivered a welcome speech. He noted that many countries seek to involve youth in decision-making processes, particularly in science and digital technologies.
Egor Litvinenko, Deputy Head of Rosmolodezh, spoke about Russia's comprehensive youth ecosystem, Year-Round Youth Educational Centers, including world-class centers like “Sirius” and “Tavrida” – established on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentorship programmes for young professionals, tools for promoting youth initiatives, grant programmes, and international cooperation.
“For the first time in six years, a Russian delegation has presented youth policy practices at UN Headquarters. Sharing our experience in working with children and youth, as well as informing our foreign partners about Rosmolodezh’s programmes and projects, is especially important in implementing the ‘Russia in the World’ federal project under the ‘Youth and Children’ national project, launched this year at the initiative of the Russian President. Strengthening international cooperation to foster dialogue in shaping a multipolar world and an objective image of Russia abroad is a priority for us. The World Youth Festival demonstrated the foreign citizens are interested in our culture, traditions, and Russian values, and we are ready to continue sharing our practices with colleagues. We would also be delighted to welcome everyone to our country of opportunities without borders”, said Egor Litvinenko, Deputy Head of Rosmolodezh.
Mr. Litvinenko emphasized that the World Youth Festival was the largest international youth platform of 2024, bringing together over 20,000 participants from more than 190 countries. During the panel session, he invited young leaders from around the world to participate in the WYF Assembly, scheduled for September 2025 in Nizhny Novgorod. Applications can be submitted on the Assembly’s website. Young people worldwide can also take part in the WYF Forum 2026 in Krasnoyarsk and become participants of the World Youth Festival 2030.
“The WYF 2024 was a vivid example of young people from around the world uniting around shared interests and values, which strengthens mutual understanding between countries. That is why it is crucial not only to preserve but also build on the festival legacy and expand our connections. At the UN in New York, we presented key international projects of the World Youth Festival Directorate. These include not only major events such as annual Assemblies and Forums in Russia, but also educational programmes and ‘Summer Schools’ at youth centers across the country. Another flagship project of the WYF Directorate, International Friendship Clubs, plays a special role in developing international youth cooperation. Over 140 countries have joined this initiative as partners. Informal platforms for dialogue between Russian and foreign youth are now open in all regions of our country”, commented Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the WYF Directorate.
Lev Zakirov, Chair of the Chamber of Young Legislators under the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, noted that institutional support and trust-based dialogue are essential for engaging youth in the social and economic agenda.
“International cooperation in youth policy is one of the key areas of the global agenda. It lays the foundation for strengthening mutual understanding, cultural respect, and long-term partnerships. Involving young people from around the world in such projects has allowed us to create platforms for open dialogue and joint action. This is not just about exchanging ideas, but also about shaping an objective and balanced global vision. Currently, there are nearly 5 million students in Russia, including over 350,000 international students. We expect this number to grow by 2030”, said Konstantin Malyshev, Head of the International Youth Cooperation and Tourism Division of the Department of State Youth Policy and Educational Activities at the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Konstantin Kolpakov, Head of the International Sports & Youth Cooperation, and Tourism Division of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the concept of horizontal diplomacy and the Young Diplomats Forum held during the WYF 2024. Ekaterina Akopyan, Chair of the Council of Young Diplomats at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented the council’s activities.
To conclude the session, Russian delegates answered questions from youth representatives of various countries.
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.