2013 SU Update: Student Activists of Samara getting ready for Universiade

SAMARA – The meeting of leaders of the student self-governance movement was held in Samara as part of the FISU Flag Relay’s program in Samara. Iskander Ulyukaev and Nestan Chitaya, two leaders of the Tatarstan Student League, delivered a presentation of the 27th Summer Universiade.

In his welcome speech to the guests, Samara State University Rector Igor Noskov stated that it was hard to overestimate the significance of the event the country is getting ready for. «There is a growing interest in the Universiade in the world, due to which a dynamic development of university sports represents a steady trend now. No doubt, that this trend has a positive effect on us because, due to the fact that the Universiade will be staged in Kazan, Russia’s youth gained a field of application for their creative energy and talent. The Universiade represents a nation-wide project which is to become a basis for developing patriotic feelings and public spirit among Russian youth», the rector said.

Larisa Sulima, Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, said that «in Samara, like in any other city on the route of FISU Flag Relay, the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate partners with student leaders and youth public associations. The Universiade Directorate places stakes on youth; the average age of member staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Universiade is 23-25 years old. For all of us, the Universiade is the project where Russian citizens must demonstrate a high level of education and top class hospitality make the 2013 Games a unique experience for youth from all over the world. That’s why the student leader forums held as part of the FISU Flag Relay must create conditions for a long-term promising relationship, so that to implement Russian youth-oriented joint projects.»

These words were supported by Andrey Kondratyev, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan, who also coordinates projects of the National Council of Children and Youth Associations of Russia in the Volga Federal District. «Efficient results in the field of youth policy emerged only when we all got acquainted with each other, exchanged experience and became reliable partners. At present, when we are implementing one of the largest Russian projects – the 2013 Summer Universiade, a friendship among regions is the most important condition for successful preparations and delivery of the Games in our homeland», Andrey Kondratyev said.

During the meeting, students of two regions, Tatarstan and Samara Region, delivered presentations of their projects, the presentation of the 27th Summer Universiade winning the special attention. Some of the Samara Region activists’ projects, particularly those aimed to popularize sports and healthy lifestyle, will be adopted in Tatarstan, Andrey Kondratyev said.

As a result of a mutually fruitful dialogue, a resolution on development of university sports and student self-governance was signed. Representatives of the Tatarstan Student League invited their colleagues from Samara to the Student Solidarity Week scheduled to be held in November 2011, and announced their plans to organize the Volga Federal District Student Congress in 2012. According to Andrey Kondratyev, this initiative already found support of the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of Russia. Besides, an international youth forum bringing together young leaders from all over the world is expected to be held in Kazan during the Games 2013.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)