Second International Youth Forum "My Initiative in Education" at VFU
The Second International Youth Forum "My Initiative in Education" was opened at the Russian Centre of Varna Free University. It is the result of a joint project of Varna Free University and the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. The forum is supported by the management of the two universities, the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Varna, the Representation of Rossotrudnichestvo in Bulgaria and the National Publishing House for Education and Science "Azbuki" at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria.
For the first time, participants on the Russian side were not only the delegation of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russiabut also the Glazov Korolenko State Pedagogical Institute and the National University of Science & Technology MISIS.
The forum was opened by the Vice–Rector for Educational Affairs at VFU work, Prof. V.Stoyanov, PhD. He welcomed the participants with "Welcome to Varna Free University!" and stressed that the meeting of the two Presidents R. Radev and V. Putin was also held on the day of the opening of the Youth Forum and this is a good sign of cooperation. The International Youth Forum began in St. Petersburg on 16 May and is now continuing in Varna. This year, our university won the honorary first and third place in the competition for socially significant projects at the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. Prof. V. Stoyanov congratulated the winners of this contest Veronika Revenko, third-year student, Faculty of International Economics and Administraion, and Stefan Daskalov, third-year student, Faculty of Law, President of the Student Council of VFU.
The Vice-Consul of the General Consulate of Russia in Varna A.V. Dergachyova said that it is symbolic that the International Forum of VFU and the State Pedagogical University of Russia "My Initiative in Education" is taking place on the same days as the meeting of the Presidents of Russia and Bulgaria, because this is an example of the good neighborly relations of our countries. "The future belongs to the youth, that is why you will jointly build it," she said. A.V. Dergachyova stressed that in Varna they know that the Russian Centre of VFU is a traditional platform for the implementation of student projects and popularization of Russian language and culture. Therefore, all the educational and cultural initiatives of the Centre, including the implementation of this remarkable forum are supported by the Consulate-General.
On the occasion of the opening of the forum on the eve of the 24th of May – the Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature Day, the participants congratulated L. V. Nezhnyova, a representative of Rossotrudnichestvo in Bulgaria. She stressed that the interaction between Bulgarian and Russian youth is a guarantee for good relations between the peoples of both countries. The Rossotrudnichestvo Representation in Bulgaria pays special attention to youth projects and initiatives. L. Nezhnyova expressed hope that each year these projects will be more and more fruitful.
The participants received a congratulatory address from the editor-in-chief of the Foreign Language Education Magazine, Prof. Dimitar Veselinov, D.Sc. Information about the forum will be published on the pages of the magazine.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Deans of the faculties of VFU, the Student Council, guests and journalists.
On behalf of the participants of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, spoke the head of the Department for the Development of the Educational Work of the university, Prof. R. U. Bogdanova, D.Sc. "Today, the Presidents of our countries are meeting in Sochi. we are already implementing in practice the solutions for the cooperation of our peoples adopted by them. I am confident that the Forum of the Bulgarian and Russian Youth "My Initiative in Education", which has become traditional, has made a significant contribution to the friendship between our peoples and to the popularization of Russian language, culture and education in Bulgaria. But Russian students also have a great interest in Bulgarian national culture and language. Since the first minutes of their arrival in Varna, the students have learned a few words and phrases in Bulgarian, and immediately there was a proposal to include an express course in Bulgarian for beginners in the next programmes of the forums. "
On behalf of the Rector of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia- Prof. S.I. Bogdanov, Raisa Umyarovna handed to the Vice-Rector of VFU and the Russian Centre the symbol of the University of Herzen– a pelican toy and albums of the university as a sign of appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between the two universities.
The Head of the Russian Centre, Prof. G.Shamonina, PhD thanked everyone for their wishes to Varna Free University and the participants in the Youth Forum. "The forthcoming events are workshops, roundtablediscussions, discussion, project work, master classes in schools and participation in the festive procession on the occasion ofthe Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature Day. It is not a coincidence that among the participants there are ambassadors of the Russian language and our programme is called "Slavic Unity". I am convinced that the Days of the International Youth Forum at VFU will remain unforgettable, and we will continue the tradition of starting the Forum in St. Petersburg and finishing it in Varna, at Varna Free University. "
