International junior forum of Russian compatriots got started in Kazan

An international youth forum of Russian compatriots living abroad, 'Youth, science, innovation', has launched today in Kazan. The event will last until 25 April.

Guests of honour at the opening ceremony were Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov , Russian Foreign Ministry Director for Work with Compatriots Abroad Anatoly Makarov, and Head of Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation Konstantin Kosachev .

Anatoly Makarov was the first to greet the assembled Russian diaspora youth activists from 44 countries. The Russian Federation anthem was played.

Expressing the hope that the forum would be a positive influence on the participants, Russian Foreign Ministry Director for Work with Compatriots Abroad read a greeting from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov .

"The traditions of innovation, scientific and technical work have always been strong among Russia’s younger people,” he said. “On this basis, Russians provide significant progress in key areas of modern science and technology, including the space and nuclear branches." According to the speaker, the younger generation of Russian scientists working in domestic and foreign centres, including in the fields of basic and applied research, multiplied the glorious heritage of their predecessors.

Forum is held annually in different cities of Russia on various topics. The main theme of the 2014 event is the exchange of experiences in the development of modern high-tech start-ups and platforms, with emphasis on the role of young people in innovation.

Further, Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov welcomed the audience on behalf of Republic of Tatarstan President. He expressed gratitude to the Russian Foreign Ministry for the opportunity and trust in holding an international forum in the capital of Tatarstan.

"For Tatarstan, this forum and its theme are special," said the head of government. Ildar Khalikov drew attention to the fact that government agencies, many civil service institutions and businesses in the republic were focused on proactive and innovative younger people.

On learning that most of those present in the hall were in Kazan for the first time, Tatarstan Prime Minister thanked the Russian Foreign Ministry. "We try to show that Russia is not only Moscow and St. Petersburg, it is also Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, etc. I think political, cultural and human contacts will be established in the days of the forum. "

Next, the prime minister spoke in detail about the achievements of the country in different directions in which forum members could establish contacts as well. Ildar Khalikov noted that delegates attending the forum would be able to familiarise themselves with Tatarstan’s industrial and innovative potential through visiting leading local universities, IT Park and many others.

At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that after the visit to Kazan participants would want to once again visit the Tatarstan capital. Ildar Khalikov wished them an interesting visit and participation in the forum.

Konstantin Kosachev, head of Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation, said it was absolutely correct that the Russian Foreign Ministry oriented forum on the young audience and relevant issues.

"With their daily work, the Republic of Tatarstan made MFA choice’s obvious: Tatarstan is indeed the national leader in terms of innovation," he stressed.

Kosachov paid particular attention to the problem of "brain drain", as well as the issue of Russian science rejuvenation.

The forum is attended by 120 Russian community youth activists from more than 44 countries of near and far abroad, including Abkhazia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan , Ukraine, Estonia, South Ossetia, Australia, Austria, Algeria, Argentina , Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, UK, Ireland, Israel, Spain, Italy, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, USA, Turkey, France, Germany, Czech Republic and Chile .