At the Congress of the Movement of the First at the National Centre RUSSIA, the book of values was adopted, and the symbol of the Year of Friendship was approved

On March 27, a meeting of the Congress of the Movement of the First took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. More than 1,000 people participated, including delegates from 89 regions of Russia, members of the Federal Council of the First, the Coordinating Council, and the Board of the Movement of the First. The participants discussed the Movement’s key achievements in 2024, outlined the objectives for 2025, and voted on amendments to the organization's Charter.

"The Movement of the First unites almost 12 million people — we are the largest community of children and young people in our country. The Congress brings together representatives from all across Russia — 1,060 delegates from 89 regions, from Kaliningrad to Chukotka. Young members of the Movement, together with their adult mentors, will review the book of values and the concept of the Year of Friendship, summarize the results of the ‘New Year Tree of Wishes’ campaign, and discuss new joint initiatives. At the Congress, we will launch new seasons of the projects 'Bolshaya Peremena' ('Big Change'), 'Pilots of the Future,' and the educational initiative 'Theatrical Backstage.' A great deal of work lies ahead, which will further expand opportunities for the development and self-realization of children and young people in the coming years," noted Hero of Russia, participant of the presidential program 'Time of Heroes,' and Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First, Artur Orlov.

At the beginning of the Congress meeting, delegates were presented with the results of the Movement of the First's work in 2024. According to the results of the past year, the Movement of the First became the most recognizable children's and youth organization in Russia compared to other associations: 76.6% of children and adolescents, 43.7% of parents, and 88.7% of teachers are aware of its activities. The level of awareness about the Movement of the First's activities reached 86.7% among children and adolescents, 57.6% among parents, and 93.1% among teachers (according to data from the advertising research operator "ORD-A"). Furthermore, in 2024, the Movement of the First's events reached over 10 million people across the country.

The Movement of the First’s main success lies in its kind, understandable, simple, and motivating projects, which involve children and adolescents in the development process. The kids are interested in the Movement’s projects, where everyone can find a direction that is meaningful to them. For example, one of the largest projects became the All-Russian competition "Bolshaya Peremena." In its fifth season, it gathered over 3 million participants from all over Russia. The All-Russian volunteer project "Blago Tvori" ("Make Good")  united more than 1.5 million participants in 20,500 volunteer teams, and throughout the year, the participants implemented over 320,000 good deeds. The All-Russian military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa 2.0" engaged over 800,000 participants in all regions of Russia, and 80 adults, including veterans of the Special Military Operation, became mentors for the game. An important milestone in the international activities of the Movement of the First was the World Youth Festival. Its children's program gathered more than 1,000 participants from 78 countries and became the starting point for the initiative to create the International Association of Children's Organizations (IACO).

Photo: Press Office of the Movement of the First

This year, the National Project "Youth and Children" was launched in Russia. From 2025 to 2030, the Movement of the First will implement a series of activities within the framework of the federal projects "Russia — Land of Opportunity" and "We Are Together (Education of a Harmoniously Developed Personality)."

At the IV Congress of the Movement of the First, delegates from the Federal Council presented the program for the Year of Friendship, declared following the III Congress in November 2024. For three months now, the Movement's projects and events at all levels — from municipal to nationwide — have been dedicated to this important issue.

"We conducted a survey among the First participants across the country, and it showed that unity, friendship, and mutual assistance are the most important values for the youth. A variety of exciting events are planned within the framework of the Year of Friendship. For example, the author’s song contest 'Friendship Without Borders' from the 'Zvuchi' ('Sound') production centre and a new stage of the 'Our Friends' contest for the best projects of primary departments," shared Darya Fileva, a delegate from the Federal Council of the First from the Orenburg region.

The Year of Friendship program includes a variety of events: a friendly dictation dedicated to regional features, history, and culture, as part of the "Discover Russia with the First" project, online telebridges with representatives of youth organizations from different countries, geotracking during hikes where participants will create the logo of the Movement of the First through their routes.

Additionally, a collection titled "Games of Friends" is being created to foster team spirit, and the festival "Games of Friends" is planned to be held at all levels of the Movement. The Year of Friendship provides opportunities for self-realization, helping one’s country, and unlocking potential.  

At the Congress, the winner of the contest for the mascot of the Year of Friendship was also determined. Among more than 1200 submitted designs, the Puppy "Lapa" ("Paw"), created by Gordey Vasilyev from the Chuvash Republic, was chosen as the winner.

Photo: Press Office of the Movement of the First

Delegates of the Congress shared details about the "Book of Values." It is the result of team work by the First participants: more than two thousand people took part in the research and discussion. The book presents a collection of the 11 main priorities of the First: "Mutual Assistance and Mutual Respect," "Unity of the Peoples of Russia," "Historical Memory," "Good and Justice," "Dream," "Creative Work," "Life and Dignity," "Patriotism," "Friendship," "Service to the Motherland," and "Strong Family." The book consists of two sections: the section "The Most Important About the Movement of the First" discusses the Movement's values, while the section "The Foundations of Our Activities" reveals their meaning through human actions.

 During the meeting, participants also voted for changes to the organization's Charter. For example, the delegates unanimously supported the decision to keep the composition of the Central Control and Audit Commission of the Movement of the First for 2025. The commission includes Pavel Abramov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs; Ilmira Aynidinova, Deputy Director General for Finance of the Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization "Institute for the Development of the Internet"; Yevgeny Dankichkov, Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Main Control Department of Moscow; and Roman Artyukhin, Chairman of the Commission, Head of the Federal Treasury.

The IV Congress of the Movement of the First is taking place from March 26 to 28 at the National Centre RUSSIA. This is the highest governing body of the Movement, which creates a space for the joint creativity of the key participants in the educational process — children, parents, and mentors. The IV Congress brought together more than two thousand participants from 89 regions of Russia. The events clearly showcase the ideas of the Movement of the First, where schoolchildren and students are the initiators of projects and also the carriers of the country’s traditional values.