Building Bridges of Friendship. Eurasian Youth met at the Forum in Moscow

23/09/2020 20:07

On September 22, the International Forum of Friendship Houses “Eurasian Bridges of Friendship”, supported by the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly was held in Moscow. The event brought together representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Eurasian Youth Assembly (EYA) actively participated in a panel discussion “Continuity of Generations, Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Eurasia - an Important Mission of Youth Ethno-Cultural Associations: Priority Projects and Forms of Work” held as part of the Forum's youth platform.

Raushan Kanapyanova, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of the NGO “Forum of Women of Eurasia”, Professor of RANEPA, Full State Councillor of the 3rd class, took part in the panel discussion as an invited expert.

Raushan Kanapyanova spoke about modern practices of popularizing the national costume among young people: “It is well known that the language and national costume play a decisive role in the formation of an ethnic group. It is the native language and ethnic costume that remain the fundamental value of every nation. It is very important for the new generation to preserve, transmit and develop this core of national identity. High fashion is increasingly turning to pure sources, so the traditions of national costume will inevitably be in demand in the future.” According to the expert, today the public interest in national costume is becoming stronger, and more and more often we can see elements of national cultures in modern design objects and wardrobe items.

First Deputy Chairman of the Republican youth movement of the APK “Zhangyru Zholy” - Chairman of the Republican youth organization “Zharasym” Timur Jimurbayev told about the best practices of strengthening interethnic relations in the youth environment of Kazakhstan: “Since its foundation, the Assembly of people of Kazakhstan has paid special attention to working with young people. In the process of developing inter-ethnic relations, it is very important to involve young people in such topics as the continuity of generations and the preservation of historical memory. Schools and colleges in Kazakhstan regularly hold “Lessons of Peace and Harmony”. We open youth clubs “Zharasym” at higher educational institutions: I would especially like to mention the experience of Almaty, Pavlodar and Karaganda regions.”

Timur Jimurbayev also drew attention to the need to attract young people to participate in volunteer activities: “2020 has been declared the year of the volunteer in Kazakhstan. We strive to attract the younger generation to volunteer projects.  Centres for the development of the volunteer movement are working at the regional houses of friendship in the regions of Kazakhstan. They unite young people of different nationalities.”

“It is extremely important to strengthen the interaction of young representatives of different cultures and faiths,” - said Vesi Izatov, Deputy Chairman of the Youth Wing of the Assembly of people of Kyrgyzstan, Chairman of the Youth Wing of the Public Association of the Turkish Diaspora of the Kyrgyz Republic “AHISKA”. - The youth wing of the Assembly of people of Kyrgyzstan helps young people discover their creative and professional potential. We contribute to the creation and development of friendship bridges between young people from different countries. 2020 was a difficult year for all of us, and only by combining our common efforts did we manage to overcome all the difficulties.

Dina Gromatikopolo and Kristina Tatarnikova, co-Chairs of the Coordinating Council of the Eurasian Youth Assembly, moderated the Forum’s youth platform.

Each of the participants of the panel discussion presented the best practices in the field of preserving cultural and historical heritage, continuity of generations, and harmonization of interethnic relations. First of all, the online meeting contributed to the exchange of experience in the development of youth projects and initiatives, strengthening the dialogue between representatives of different cultures, and bringing together young people. These topics brought together young people from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russian regions: the Udmurt Republic, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Karelia, the Vladimir, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Ulyanovsk, Orenburg regions, and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.

Participants of the panel discussion “Continuity of Generations, Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Eurasia – an Important Mission of Youth Ethno-Cultural Associations: Priority Projects and Forms of Work” agreed to meet again in an offline format at the site of one of the Eurasian countries.