The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, expresses confidence that the recent changes are moving in a positive direction. He shared this view in a video message addressed to participants at the inaugural congress of the Russian Movement for Children and Youth (RDDM).
“Today, the whole world is undergoing changes, not just Russia,” he remarked. “I believe these shifts are for the better.”
Putin also hopes that Russians, including the younger generation, will help shape a more just world through their actions, determination, and the clarity of their plans and principles.
“So, let us work toward a world where all people are truly equal, where everyone has the right to be respected, to preserve their traditions, to speak their native language, and to honor their ancestors. A world where everyone can achieve their full potential, regardless of the circumstances of birth or family background,” he said.
He urged the movement’s participants not to imitate others, to defend their integrity, and to create themselves anew.
The first congress of the Russian Children and Youth Movement took place in Moscow, December 18–20, at the Youth House, which houses the Manege exhibition hall. The event opened with the banner “The world of childhood equals the world of the future.”
Nearly 1,400 attendees represented 89 regions of Russia. According to reports, the movement’s press service had announced the involvement of two hundred consultants, two hundred volunteers, and about two thousand guests (source: contemporary press coverage).
The central moment of the congress was the naming of the organization—“First Movement.” Voting occurred openly in the official RDDM community on VKontakte from November 18 to December 10, with ten options available for participants to choose from.
A second vote followed among those present at the congress. Grigory Gurov, the newly named leader of the movement, indicated that a subsequent voting stage should occur and invited the seven dissenting voices to present their arguments. A major newspaper reported that the final decision was postponed to December 19 (source: press reports).
During the congress, the movement’s activities, mission, and values were outlined, and the winners of the Big Changes award were set to be announced at the closing ceremony. The awards would recognize projects that were notably warm, friendly, and child-centered.
According to the movement’s press service, the focus areas include education and knowledge, culture and arts, volunteering and civil service, patriotism and historical memory, sports and a healthy lifestyle, media and communication, work and entrepreneurship, ecology and nature conservation, and tourism and travel.
Ksenia Razuvaeva, head of Rosmolodezh, stated that the main aim is to create an environment accessible to every pupil, one that enables each child to reveal their talents and excel in their endeavors (source: organizational statements).
Branches of the organization are set to open in every region and municipality across Russia, extending the movement’s reach (source: region-wide announcements).
“Starting Tuesday, we will open cells and primary education departments in schools, driven by the interests expressed by the youngsters,” noted the Education Minister of Russia, Sergey Kravtsov, during on-site briefings (source: ministry remarks).
On July 14, a law establishing the RDDM was signed. The movement welcomes participants who are minors enrolled in primary general, basic general, secondary general, secondary vocational, and tertiary education programs. One of the founders is the Russian Schoolchildren Movement (RDSH), which provides historical roots for the initiative (source: legislative records).”