2013 SU Update: Two capitals united by Sports and Culture

SAINT PETERSBURG – A meeting of student activists and youth policy leaders took place in Saint Petersburg State University recently. Youth of two regions discussed implementation plan of joint projects in the preparations for the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan.

The meeting, held as part of the FISU Flag Relay’s program in Saint Petersburg and coinciding with Freshers’ Day celebrations, took place in the historical building of the university, which was erected in the days of Peter the Great. In different years the building housed 12 collegiums and first ministries where most statesmen of the Russian Empire, Soviet Union and modern Russia were educated. The Petrovsky Hall of Saint Petersburg State University, which is permeated with the great history of the Russian culture and education, became a place where the agreement signing ceremony broke fresh ground in the annals of cooperation between the sports and cultural capitals of Russia.

The historical meeting was attended by Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Andrey Kondratyev, Chairman of the Public Youth Chamber under the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Evgeny Efimov, Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Larisa Sulima, Director of the Volunteer Department of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Liliya Barieva and Tatarstan Student League President Timur Suleimanov.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting were student travel cards, beneficial mortgage lending for student activists, interaction between youth public organizations and bodies of state power, youth parliament and government structures. But there is no doubt that the forthcoming 2013 Summer Universiade became the key issue on the agenda, since it was the event that «united students of not only Tatarstan but of all Russia», Tatarstan Student League President Timur Suleimanov said.

The parties discussed in detail the implementation of the Kazan 2013 volunteer program, as well as volunteer opportunities and participation format for Saint Petersburg’s youth. «The Kazan 2013 volunteer selection program is already running and everyone willing to become a volunteer at the Universiade can submit an application online on », said Liliya Barieva, Director of the Volunteer Department. «In February 2012 we will launch phone interviewing of candidates. Besides that, partners of the Universiade Directorate will get a chance to build volunteer teams for the Games 2013. In this case only best and most well-trained non-local volunteers will be involved in work at the Universiade.»

At the same time, Chief of Staff of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Larisa Sulima laid a stress on the fact that «leaders of Saint Petersburg’s student public organizations will be invited to work at the Games as specialists with a huge experience of working at large student projects that differ in scale, format and geographic origin of participants.»

So far, with two years still to go until the start of the Games, students of Tatarstan and Saint Petersburg will be promoting a healthy way of life, commitment to sports and peoples’ friendship. These intentions were sealed with the cooperation agreement between the Student League of the Republic of Tatarstan and Student Council of Saint Petersburg.

«We are pleased that the meeting of students of both regions was held in a democratic atmosphere and allowed boys and girls to make friends and conduct efficient round table talks. Young people and students of Saint Petersburg, as well as the Committee of Youth Policy and Cooperation with Public Organizations, are very interesting and forward looking partners that have a unique experience in youth policy, sports and youth projects. Such creative, intelligent and successful young managers will become an integral part of Team 2013 which is to stage the best Universiade ever», Larisa Sulima summed up.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)