Artek students presented the portrait of a modern generation at the Symposium "Inventing the Future"
The youth’s vision of Russia’s future was discussed at the dialogue "Bridge to Tomorrow: The Voice of a Generation", which was part of the open educational programme of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future". The event was co-organised by the Artek International Children’s Centre. During the discussion, teenage speakers and experts presented their own scenarios for the country’s development.
The session also featured the results of a large-scale study exploring the portrait of a generation. More than 1,000 teenagers took part in the survey. Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they look to their future with optimism and confidence. Their main goals include obtaining a good education, building a successful career, creating a happy and prosperous family, maintaining good health, and being useful to their country. According to the participants, success requires inner strength, kindness, a willingness to help others, as well as the support of a loving family and loyal friends. Most of the respondents also said they feel a sense of responsibility for their country’s future.
The expert guest of the event, First Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, Alexander Bugayev, offered his recommendations on improving the students’ initiatives.
"Despite the rapid development of technology, people remain at the heart of every process. Each family is unique — no machine will ever replace our parents. It is encouraging that young people understand this. It is particularly valuable that they focus on such important topics as national unity, progress and development, space exploration, and environmental care. All this inspires confidence in a bright future for humanity and our citizens," said Alexander Bugayev.
Hero of Russia Igor Yurgin, Director of the Department of State Policy in Education, Extracurricular and Children’s Recreation Activities at the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, also took part in the Symposium. He emphasised the importance of preserving Russia’s traditional spiritual and moral values.
"The family, as the cornerstone of society, will always strengthen our state. I am certain that our history is our pride. It is crucial that the younger generation recognises the importance of preserving the historical memory of their homeland and their family traditions," he said.
The difference between generations lies mainly in their technological means, while eternal values remain unchanged, noted Konstantin Fedorenko, Director of the Artek International Children’s Centre.
"The qualities we expect from our descendants must be aimed at the creative development of our country. If a person of the future keeps such goals in mind, success is inevitable. All potential — including that provided by the state — must be directed towards the country’s benefit, which will ultimately return to the people. I believe this is one of the hallmarks of the person of the future," emphasised Konstantin Fedorenko, Director of the Artek International Children’s Centre.
A total of 120 students of the Artek International Children’s Centre took part in over 30 sessions of the expert and open programmes of the Symposium. Teenagers participated as both speakers and listeners, engaged with experts, and shared their perspectives on the future. As a result, they presented their collective vision of the person, family, society, country, and state of the future.
The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held on 7 – 8 October at the National Centre RUSSIA, bringing together participants from more than 85 countries, as well as all regions of the Russian Federation. The Symposium features over 260 Russian and international experts from China, the United States, Italy, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organised on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. Analytical partner is VCIOM Analytical Centre. Literary partner is Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.
