Russia is shaping a novel approach to civic education, backed by modern infrastructure and a diverse range of methods and formats designed to engage young people. This was discussed by Antonina Selezneva, head of the Educational Activities Department at the Expert Institute for Social Research (EISR), during a roundtable titled “Educational Activities in Russia in the 21st Century.”
Selezneva highlighted the need for a single, unified standard and a systematic strategy to extend educational activities across the nation, ensuring consistency and reach from coast to coast.
She stressed that a cohesive civic-education system aims to cultivate a harmoniously developed, socially responsible citizen who upholds traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, aligning personal growth with national development goals.
Senator Lyubov Glebova, chairwoman of the Coordination Council of the Russian Society “Knowledge,” noted that Russia has built an educational system with ample opportunities. She argued that such work shapes civic and political awareness, deepens knowledge, and supports individual development.
Glebova added that educational activities extend beyond formal programs. The absence of rigid implementation rules stems from reforms to education legislation, which now provide a legal framework for understanding what educational activities look like within educational organizations.
Natalya Kravchenko, chairwoman of the Education and Training Commission of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and a member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Education, underscored the need for a comprehensive support network for children and youth. She pointed to the national project “Youth and Children” as a vehicle to advance this mission.
Within the scope of the new national project and the broader education-development system, proposals have been advanced to create conditions that let young people grow in multiple dimensions. Beyond knowledge acquisition, these initiatives aim to provide opportunities for children to express talents in creativity, science, and sports, fostering well-rounded individuals.
Anton Serikov, director general of the Mashuk Information Center and deputy director general of the Russian Association “Knowledge,” emphasized that education should inspire as well as inform. He noted that contemporary educational activities go beyond a single public speech, embracing a variety of formats that engage audiences in meaningful ways.