Anastasia Zvyagina: the National Centre RUSSIA creates opportunities for young people’s professional development

The National Centre RUSSIA gives young people the opportunity to progress from an initial interest in a profession to gaining practical experience: they can try their hand at journalism and content creation, work at events, communicate with professionals and present their own projects. The Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Anastasia Zvyagina, discussed these opportunities on 26 August at a meeting with students and lecturers from the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan.

The University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan not only trains journalists across a range of specialisms, but also prepares media designers, media marketers, PR managers and information services professionals. Its facilities include an Information Resource Centre, an Information Technology Centre, a Museum of the History of Journalism, a television and radio studio, a photography laboratory and the coworking centre of the student press club.

The participants exchanged experience and discussed the development of modern journalism and the challenges facing the media industry. They also discussed prospects for cooperation in the media sector.

"The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of President Vladimir Putin as a space where we share what we are proud of: our achievements, our people, their talent and their work. It brings together culture, education, science, technology, public dialogue and media. All our events and projects are free of charge for both residents and visitors to our country," noted Anastasia Zvyagina.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Particular attention at the meeting was devoted to opportunities for young people. The Deputy Director General discussed the Young Journalists School, whose participants gain practical professional experience: they visit leading Russian editorial offices and news agencies, take part in events at the National Centre, and learn to conduct interviews and create written, photographic and video content.

The first cohort of the School has already completed its training. The participants' work is published on the website of the National Centre RUSSIA, while the young journalists continue to cover events and develop their own media projects. A new intake will be announced soon, and classes will also be held online, allowing the project to reach participants from a wider range of locations.

"We also run Young Tour Guides School of Russia. Children learn to lead tours, speak clearly and correctly, and study history. They are already giving tours of the National Centre to the country's leaders, including President Vladimir Putin. It is important to us that these young people know their Motherland, understand how the country lives and what its future will look like, because they are the ones who will create it," she added.

According to Anastasia Zvyagina, another project that introduces young people to media professions is the "Space of Opportunities" at the National Centre RUSSIA. Here, they can try their hand at blogging, content creation, television and radio journalism, work with cameras and microphones, and receive advice from professionals.

"We want to help children and young people find their path, recognise their potential and understand the field in which they truly want to fulfil themselves. That is why the National Centre is creating a space where they can try new things, make mistakes, ask questions, receive support and gradually build their own career path," said Anastasia Zvyagina.

The Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA also shared her professional experience with the students and lecturers. According to Anastasia Zvyagina, experience in journalism helps develop management skills: working with information, organising filming and events, interacting with people and navigating large volumes of data quickly are valuable in a wide range of professional fields.

Anastasia Zvyagina also invited everyone to visit the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow and take part in its educational and international projects. In particular, she mentioned the All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts", which gained international status for the first time this year. The event brought together couples from Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus. More than 600 couples have already started families at the National Centre RUSSIA over the course of the festival.

Russia and Uzbekistan share centuries-old friendly relations. In 2027, the two countries will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The National Centre RUSSIA and the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Tashkent have agreed to hold the Reciprocal Days of Russia and Uzbekistan, featuring cultural, educational and business events.