From 30 November to 3 December, a rally-festival of patriotic associations of the Union State was held in Pechory, Pskov Region, bringing together participants from Russia and the Republic of Belarus. The event became an important platform for discussing issues of patriotic education of youth and exchanging experiences between various organizations.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova attended the plenary session that opened the festival. She emphasized the importance of patriotic education in educational institutions. Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Cross-Border Cooperation Sergey Malenko noted that patriotism is the basis for the unity of the peoples of the Union State.

The welcoming speech was given by the Governor of the Pskov Region Mikhail Vedernikov, who emphasized the importance of interaction between regions in the field of patriotic education, as well as by Deputy State Secretary of the Union State Elena Bogdan and Deputy Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus Ekaterina Petrutskaya. Their speeches inspired the participants to actively participate in discussions and practical classes.

Particular attention at the festival was given to the discussion of best practices in the field of patriotic education of youth, in which an SPbGASU delegate, the leading specialist of the Youth Policy Division Olga Yakovleva, took part.

The rally-festival became not only a place for exchanging experiences, but also a platform for establishing new ties between organizations working in the field of patriotic education. Participants had the opportunity to discuss current issues and find joint solutions that will help strengthen patriotic feelings among young people and increase their level of civic activity.

The result of the three-day work was the development of a layout for the collection of best practices in the field of patriotic education of youth, implemented in the Union State in 2024, as well as a joint calendar of significant dates for the coming year.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, the Project Office for International Youth Cooperation in the direction “Russia – Belarus” and Pskov State University.