SLOGAN – For peace, solidarity and social justice, we struggle against imperialism. Honoring our past, we build the future!
The festival movement reflected the consolidation of the international democratic youth movement in the post-war period. The issue of holding a mass meeting of representatives of the world’s youth, which, if successful, could become a tradition, was first discussed at the World Youth Conference in London in 1945, where the establishment of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) was announced. Some 30 million young people with different ideologies and religions from 63 countries came together to prevent a repeat of wars and the revival of fascism. Thus, the decision was made in London to hold world festivals of youth and students who would promote the strengthening of friendship between peoples as well as solidarity and peace on the planet. The first festival took place 70 years ago in 1947 in Prague under the slogan “Youth for Peace!” It marked the beginning of the long history and rich traditions of the festival movement.
Today, the WFDY unites young people from 80 organizations in 65 countries and has a consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. The main objectives of the WFDY are the struggle for peace, democracy, national independence, and the protection of the political, social, and economic rights and interests of young people.
The biggest festival ever took place in 1957 in Moscow and was attended by 34,000 people. The festival, held under the slogan “For Peace and Friendship”, became a true symbol of world unity, bringing together young representatives from 131 countries. The Moscow festival was one of the largest cultural and political events in the decades following the war.
The second time Moscow was fortunate enough to host young people from all over the world came in 1985. The 12th festival incorporated the best traditions and aspirations for the future. Some 26,000 young people united in the struggle “For Anti-Imperialist Solidarity, Peace and Friendship” discussed some of the most pressing problems ranging from disarmament and interethnic issues to economic and environmental problems at 15 specialized venues. This festival was the most diverse in terms of political and public organizations and their concepts.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the festival movement managed to preserve its identity: festivals were held in Africa, Asia, and America under the banner of the struggle for friendship, peace, solidarity, and justice. Throughout the history of the festival movement, the World Federation of Democratic Youth has been its custodian and coordinator at the international level. The decision to hold the WFYS 2017 was made on 7 February 2016 by the WFDY and international student organizations during an international consultative meeting on the 19th festival. WFYS 2017 incorporates all the best festival traditions of previous years while synthesizing them with modern constantly changing trends and innovative development. For the third time, Russia is ready to warmly welcome representatives of all continents.
The 19th World Festival of Youth and Students was the biggest youth event in Russia’s modern history. The preparatory process began in June 2016 in South America. The First International Preparatory Meeting was held in Caracas, Venezuela. The festival’s logo and the slogan “For peace, solidarity and social justice, we struggle against imperialism. Honoring our past, we build the future!” were approved at this meeting. The heads of youth organizations then met for a second time in November in Namibia, where the festival’s preliminary programme was approved. Finally, the third preparatory meeting was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in May 2017 at which the final draft of the programme was approved and the International Organizing Committee was elected, which includes representatives of 24 countries and major regional youth organizations. The International Preparatory Committee will start working in full force in Moscow in August 2017 and ensure that the WFYS 2017 is a success.
Soft skills and Gene Engineering: Vladimir Putin Defined the Key Focus Areas of Human Development at the session Youth 2030. The image of the future.
On the last day of the discussion programme of the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students, Vladimir Putin attended the session Youth 2030. The Image of the Future, where the festival participants from different countries made their presentations on all subject areas of the scientific and educational programme of the Festival.
Commenting on the session participants’ presentations Vladimir Putin advised young people to make only realistic plans for the future and always think about their implementation.
“These plans – unless of course, they are in the field of fundamental science – must be applicable and actionable, thinking not only for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow but also for today”, the Russian President said.
As an example, he mentioned an environmental protection project, presented by a Finnish girl.
“A nice girl from Finland talked about garbage incineration plants. Yes, there are a lot of such plants in the world, but you cannot miss on the fact that when burning waste, the energy released is also being used. If we want these technologies to become widespread and to really protect the environment, then we should use already available technologies to make this energy competitive”, the head of the state said.
Commenting on the speech of the participant of the session The Future of Science and Global Education, Vladimir Putin noted that requirements for education drastically change in the modern world: those who can combine knowledge from different areas and sciences will have the advantage.
“Today’s education is completely different, like technology. It is clear that the competitive advantages will be with those who not only have a set of interesting and important knowledge, but also those with so-called soft skills – creative, visionary types of thinking when a person develops a whole individual route for finding their way and self-development”, said Vladimir Putin.
Special attention Vladimir Putin paid to the moral and ethical component of any action and development. Gene engineering, for example, can give us new opportunities in pharmacology and in altering a human code, especially if a person suffers from a genetic disease. But this has its dark side.
“This means that we can create a person with pre-set characteristics. It can be a brilliant mathematician or an army recruit who will fight without fear, compassion or regret and feel no pain”, said the head of the state and added that all this “could be worse than a nuclear bomb”.
“Whatever we do we should never forget about the moral and ethical foundations of our cause. Everything that we do should benefit and strengthen the humankind”, urged Vladimir Putin.
At the end of the session, the President of Russia left an autograph on the Festival banner and took off the watch the colorful show RUSSIA.
Programs :
1.Carnival parade – The official Festival Guest Greeting Ceremony
2.Opening ceremony
3.Discussion program – First educational day :
- a) The goals and the achievements of the Great October Revolution
- b) The legacy of Ernesto Che Guevara for the youth movement
- c) A special exhibition dedicated to the 6th and 12th WFYS
- d) Exhibition for the era of the Soviet Union
- e) Exhibition for the life of Ernesto Che Guevara
– America Day
– Africa Day
– Middle East Day
– Asia Pacific Day
– Europe Day
– Russia Day
4.Cultural program
5.Sporting program
6.Scientific and educational thematic areas -a)The future of science and global education
- b) Architecture and Design
- c) Technologies of the future
- d) The environment and health
- e) New Media
- f) Civil development platform
- g) Internacional Culture Space
- h) Economy and development for the future
- i) Global Politics
- j) Industry for the future
- Regional program ALLMORE ABOUT THE COUNTRY DIARY OF THE FEST FOR TV BROADCASTERSACCREDITATIONTICLES PROHIBITEDRULES OF CONDUCT FOR PARTICIPANTSTRANSPORT SERVICESACCOMMODATIONCATERINGMEDICAL SUPPORTACCREDITATION OF PARTICIPANTSACCREDITATION PROCEDURE FOR EXPERTS, GUESTS OF HONOUR, AND GUEST ACCREDITATION OF DELEGATION HEADSF.A.Q
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REGIONAL PROGRAM
For the first time in the history of the festival movement, the entire country will be involved in this massive youth celebration. A regional programme is planned as part of the festival on 14–17 October 2017 for more than 1,500 foreign participants who came to WFYS 2017. During the first three days of their stay in Russia, they will visit 15 different cities of the Russian Federation and will have an additional opportunity to see the country from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok.
8.Closing ceremony
Regarding the Albanian delegation
From Albania, we were a delegation of 20 people from different fields as well as representatives of non-profit organizations. Most of the participants were from Leadership Development Association Albania with the President Mr. Marilo Meta, in which I am a local president of the city of Vlora and Paula VP outgoing.
It was a relatively long preparation for the festival, group selection, material preparation, promotional videos for Albania, and the selection of the best universities to be presented, including the University of Vlora. In World Festival of Youth and Students, Albania had its own stand where with our responsibility and pride we tried to make a dignified presentation of our country where we introduced the culture, traditions, education, and tourism. Our main point was to tell the world that in a small country like Albania, there are many young people who are active in social life, striving every day for our rights and for a better future not only for the nation but also in relations with all other nations around the world.
It is worth mentioning here and the message that we as a nation gave to the sodality in the Balkans. We had an excellent relationship with the Serbian and Macedonian delegation which was finalized with a picture of the flags of the three united states together!
Attached to this short presentation of a great event are some photos and videos that will always remind us of the great opportunity presented to Albania in a world festival! We have taken from this festival very valuable memories that will certainly appeal to us and to other young people in Albania. During the festival, we had conversations with all the countries from where we learned from them far more than we could google for them. We are here today not only to share our excellent experience in an international event but also to give a message to Albanian youth that the world offers us great opportunities to promote our own ideas and personal experiences, so do not leave any chance, be active, and tell the world that Albania’s has young people with a clear vision for a better future! For all those who want to join our organization, our focus is on leadership, are invited to contact us and become part of our future projects!
Last but no less important is thanksgiving to the University “Ismail Qemali” and especially to the rector prof.Roland Zisi, who did not hesitate for a moment to give his support to both students of the University of Vlora which after a long phase of selection came to be selected as part of the Albanian initiative in Sochi, Russia. Anxhela Delaj and Paula Proniat not only were nominated for this festival but among the 30,000 participants, they were nominated in a regional program where only 1,500 participants had the opportunity to participate! Thanks to the University “Ismail Qemali” in which we have spent our most beautiful time, filled with knowledge which are serving us in a concrete way on our path to success.
