Educational marathon "Znanie. Science" will bring together 5,000 participants at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The opening ceremony of the marathon "Znanie. Science" was held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 30 October. The event is organised by the Russian society Znanie and the Moscow Polytechnic University with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The marathon is dedicated to the Decade of Science and Technology.

The event was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov and Director General of the Russian society Znanie Maxim Dreval.

Welcoming the participants, Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that they included schoolchildren, students, and prize-winners of Russian, and international academic contests.

"You have already taken a very important first step towards becoming the golden reserve of our country. You have an interesting life ahead, full of opportunities. Many of you will want to become physicists, mathematicians, chemists, biologists, engineers. To make this possible, our country, on the instructions of the President, has set a national goal — to create conditions for the realisation of talents and potential. The Government is doing everything to make this happen. Never before in the history of modern Russia have there been such large-scale investments in scientific and educational infrastructure: schools, campuses and youth laboratories are being built across the country, new scientific equipment is being installed, and various forms of financial support are being provided, such as grants and scholarships. In short, those who wish to develop their potential will have every opportunity to do so," said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

He thanked the Russian society Znanie for organising the marathon. Over the past few years, the society has brought together more than 32,000 mentors who have delivered over 200,000 lectures. Online broadcasts have gathered more than 2.5 billion views. Dmitry Chernyshenko praised the high calibre of lecturers and stressed that the Russian society Znanie works in close cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov reminded that, by decision of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the country is marking the Decade of Science and Technology.

"What are the goals we set for ourselves as part of this decade? One of the key priorities is to attract young people to science. Much is being done for this purpose — from the establishment of youth laboratories and the implementation of the Priority 2030 programme of advanced engineering schools to such landmark events as this marathon. I am grateful to all the lecturers who will speak these days. To make an informed decision to pursue science, one must learn as much about it as possible," said the Minister.

Valery Falkov also noted that many events are planned as part of the Decade of Science and Technology and invited marathon participants to the Congress of Young Scientists, which will be held from 26 to 28 November in Sirius.

The Director General of the Russian society Znanie, Maxim Dreval, emphasised the special significance of the "Znanie. Science" marathon: "I am very glad that today we are all united by science. When we speak about science in Russia, we speak about an outstanding, legendary past, about our great compatriots — Lomonosov, Korolyov, Mendeleev, about hundreds of people who have shaped the face of modern world science. But it is also a conversation about an exciting future, about young scientists who are changing our world today. I hope that as you listen to the lecturers of the Russian society Znanie, you will feel proud of Russian science and scientists. Perhaps many of you will want to devote your lives to it. And if someone has already made this choice, you may be inspired to new discoveries and achievements. I want to thank all scientists, engineers, and researchers in Russia and around the world who are changing our lives with their complex, demanding work. And of course, I would like to thank popularisers, educators, and our lecturers who speak about science passionately and engagingly, inspiring new generations of scientists."

It is expected that the enlightenment event will bring together more than 5,000 schoolchildren, students, and young scientists, winners of national contests from 80 regions of Russia, as well as from Abkhazia. The marathon will highlight the importance of science for all spheres of human activity — from industry to culture. Young people will learn how science expands human capabilities and what prospects open up for youth in the scientific field.