Plans to strengthen the upbringing component in Russia’s education system discussed at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Rectors, vice-rectors, institute directors and participants of the project "Navigators of Childhood" gathered at the National Centre RUSSIA during the large-scale International Forum "New Philosophy of Upbringing". The event, which brought together representatives of Russia’s leading state pedagogical universities, became a key platform for shaping plans to develop the upbringing component within the national education system. The forum was organised by the Russian Children and Youth Centre with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

"The institution of advisers to school principals for upbringing is developing successfully and expanding. Today, the ‘Navigators of Childhood’ community already includes more than 40,000 specialists across the country, and this number grows every year. These mentors carry out a key mission by creating and developing an upbringing environment in schools and colleges throughout Russia. Their work includes shaping upbringing spaces, securing grant funding, engaging with parent communities, implementing the programme 'Eaglets of Russia' (‘Orlyata Rossii’), and involving children in the Movement of the First. Achieving such important results would have been impossible without the strong support of the pedagogical community and the universities you represent. For us, you are not only reliable partners but also true friends. Thanks to the programmes delivered at pedagogical universities, advisers to school principals receive unique professional competences and solid training," said Director of the Russian Children and Youth Centre, Alexander Kudryashov.

The purpose of the session was to conduct a joint analysis of current tasks and to develop solutions and plans to enhance the effectiveness of upbringing work in educational organisations across Russia for the coming year. Participants exchanged experience, discussed pressing issues related to upbringing systems in higher education institutions, the training of academic staff, and further cooperation with the Russian Children and Youth Centre in implementing educational initiatives.

Special attention at the meeting was given to the large-scale programme aimed at improving the professional qualifications of advisers to school principals for upbringing. For the first time, throughout the entire year 2025, a supplementary professional training programme for this category of specialists will be delivered at 125 locations: state pedagogical universities, the All-Russian Children’s Centre "Okean" ("Ocean"), and institutes for educational development. In total, more than 6,000 Navigators of Childhood from all regions of Russia will upgrade their qualifications this year.

Representatives of pedagogical universities spoke about unconventional approaches to the learning process, as well as joint work between universities and regional Navigators of Childhood teams.

Konstantin Yegorov, Rector of Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University, shared the university’s experience in implementing the programme "Activities of the Adviser to the School Principal for Upbringing and Cooperation with Children’s Public Associations in General Education Institutions" at PSHPU.

"It was very important for us to build a model that would be engaging for the university, for students and for advisers to school principals for upbringing. When we considered which thematic areas of training advisers should include, we built a role-based, interactive, specially designed model where the Navigators of Childhood transform into students. Each training day corresponds, symbolically, to one year of university study, and the programme ends with a graduation ceremony," said Konstantin Yegorov.

During the meeting, the heads and representatives of pedagogical universities addressed the priorities for developing cooperation and examined advanced practices in training specialists, including mechanisms for gaining emotional experience, practice-oriented immersion in the profession, gamification of the learning process and other methods.

The International Forum "New Philosophy of Upbringing" became the final event of the large-scale work carried out throughout the year. For the first time in 2025, forums of the same name were held in every federal district, bringing together more than 5,500 participants. The key outcome of this work was the Code of the New Philosophy of Upbringing. This document is intended to become a conceptual foundation for consolidating the efforts of the state, educational organisations, families and public institutions in fostering a harmoniously developed individual.

In addition, the opening ceremony of the forum included the awarding of the winners of the IV All-Russian Children’s Award "New Philosophy of Upbringing". The Navigators of Childhood recognised by pupils as the best in the country were congratulated by the Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects, Sergei Novikov, and Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, Sergei Kravtsov.

An important focus of the work was the international development of the All-Russian project "Navigators of Childhood". It is implemented by the Russian Children and Youth Centre with the support of the President of Russia and the Ministry of Education of the country.

The programme of the forum includes work across five areas, among them international cooperation, the development of a mentorship system, opportunities for parent communities and other areas. Participants will be introduced to modern technological and media tools useful in upbringing work, and will also visit partner organisation stands, including the Movement of the First.

The forum is organised by the Russian Children and Youth Centre with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The event will run until 1 December 2025.