4/3/2008 - International Youth Forum Held in St. Petersburg, Russia
We are happy to share news about very successful event AFS Russia recently organized.
In March, 24-28 in St. Petersburg International Youth Forum “Russia-Italy: Cultural Dialogue” took place. It was arranged as a Russian part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 70 school children, winners of the AFS contest “Russia-Italy: Cultural Dialogue” from all over Russia and 15 AFS students currently hosted in Russia participated in the Forum.
The event was fully financially supported by KMB BANK, bank of Intesa Sanpaolo group. The representatives of the bank as well as Italian Embassy in Russia and St. Petersburg’s city authorities were Forum guests. TV and other city mass media considered the Forum was worth to be told about.
During the days of Forum young people had a lot of opportunities to present their works, to share thoughts and feelings, to discuss world issues and make individuals and group projects which aims were not childish at all: to strengthen the economic and diplomatic relationships between Russia and Italy, to open “windows” to both cultures and to take away stereotypic obstacles.
Besides serious content participants could play different games, sing numerous songs, dance at a real ball, do sightseeing, make friends.
A wonderful group of volunteers who conducted the program did their best to turn the event into very educational international activity.
- “It’s inhumanly to arrange such events just for 5 days. I want more!”
- “Before I never thought that “adult” topics could be interesting. AFS, how did you manage to change my mind?”
- “Everything was so fantastic, cool and touching! Thank you, people”