The Legislative Duma of Tomsk Oblast
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Vladimir ZHIDKIKH: It is important to foster parliamentary democracy skills in the young
The third seminar for young Russian parliamentarians and young leaders took place in the Council of Europe, Strasbourg. Member of the Russian Federation Council ¬– Representative of the Legislative Duma of Tomsk Oblast – and Chairman of the Youth and Tourism Committee of the Federation Council Vladimir Zhidkikh took part in the seminar among other Russian parliamentarians. He talked about the role and importance of this peculiar project.
– What do you think young leaders can take away from the seminar?
– They can acquire skills and experience which no school can teach. The Council of Europe is a most important global institution, a unique political forum. Getting to know this institution broadens the participants’ horizons to a great extent. The Council of Europe has accumulated extensive experience in many disciplines such as human rights, democracy, jurisprudence, economics, culture, and youth policy. This experience can and must be applied. But before, we should learn and understand how it can be customized and applied to the needs of our country. This is what we teach our young colleagues. I should say, their participation in the EU’s seminars equally contributes to the development of the European youth policy. Our experience is also valuable. Almost in each Russian region (73) there are youth parliaments along with the legislative assembly and they continue to actively establish themselves in the municipalities. By taking part in such seminars young Russian parliamentarians and leaders of youth non-governmental organizations can acquire necessary experience in international participation, which is a prerequisite for creation of a standing youth parliamentary platform at the Council of Europe. This initiative was brought forward at the last seminar and was backed by PACE President Mevlut Chavusoglu.
– What can you say about the youth policies of Russia and Europe?
– Russia has long-standing traditions in working with the young, which, however, were lost since komsomol ceased to exist 20 years ago. Today, the situation is improving. The country has started to recover its consistent youth policy system. We created a dedicated ministry, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, dedicated bodies in the Federation Council and State Duma. Our youth policy is in some aspects different from most European countries. This is what is positive about it, there is potential for cooperation. It will not be exaggerated if I say that efficient youth policy is on the today’s agenda of all European countries. There is a long-felt need to more actively implement new methods of working with the young, enhance cooperation among European institutes and national youth organizations, and engage the young with discussing topical issues.
– Could you please summarize the results of the seminar?
– The seminar gathered young people from nine Russian regions – Ulyanovsk Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Altai Territory, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Territory, Novgorod Oblast, Kabardino-Balkar Republic, and Sverdlovsk Oblast. They all take immediate interest in politics and work in youth non-governmental organizations. They took active part in the seminars gathering invaluable experience and learning about European government institutions. I and my colleagues from the Federation Council attended the official opening of the seminar. There was also a meeting with the Russian delegation at PACE and PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu. Our youngsters attended as observers PACE sessions, a meeting with Russian representatives at the European Court of Human Rights, a meeting with the leaders of the CoE Directorate of Youth and Sport and European Youth Foundation, and many other events. Having evaluated the experience we have accumulated in holding the seminars and the efforts we have put into the development of this project, I envy our young politicians and parliamentarians. They do not have to pioneer the European politics and do not need to spend time and effort to overcome the many obstacles and challenges that we were facing. I would like to emphasize that we have covered almost all Russian regions and gave the future politicians an opportunity to get to know European governmental bodies.
Today they have every opportunity to acquire new knowledge and engage themselves in practical work, what I sincerely wish them to do!
© The State Duma of the Tomsk oblast, 2007-2024