On July 26, fifteen NSLI-Y participants joined representatives of Russian non-governmental organizations and associations in Nizhny Novgorod, along with the Nizhny Novgorod Youth Parliament at the Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly to speak about the development of youth volunteer organizations and opportunities in Russia and the U.S.
NSLI-Y participants gave a presentation about their volunteer experience in the United States, including two students who founded their own volunteer organizations in the U.S. NSLI-Y participants discussed in detail about how they raised funds for their projects, as well as developed the various stages of project implementation. They further explained how their projects benefited underserved populations or areas of need, while contributing to the local community. NSLI-Y participant presenters came to the round table prepared with power point presentations and talking points, and presented exclusively in Russian.
The Russian presenters, some of whom are alumni of U.S. government sponsored exchange programs, explained the structure of the Nizhny Novgorod Youth Parliament, what they contribute to government dialogue, and what kinds of events they organize for youth in the region.
Chairman of the Youth Parliament of the Nizhny Novgorod region Tatiana Skorobogatova shared with NSLI-Y participants about how the Parliament develops the work of Russian youth in public organizations and improves the state youth policy at both the federal and regional level. She explained that it is very important for the Nizhny Novgorod Youth Parliament to learn from the practice and experience of other like-minded young people from across the world, such as the NSLI-Y participants. Skorobogatova stated, “We believe that such cooperation will be a major incentive for the development of youth policy in the region.”NSLI-Y participants and their Russian cohorts shared ideas about how to implement volunteerism while discussing common interests and goals in improving the lives of others. Everyone joined together for a common goal, despite the two countries’ difference in structure for implementing projects and presence of civil society.
