Ethiopian youth delegates reflect on their WYF experiences in Russia

Addis Ababa, April 7, 2024 (FBC) – Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa convened Ethiopian youth delegates who participated in the World Youth Festival (WYF) in Sochi, Russia from 1-7 March, 2024 to help them reflect on experiences and lessons they have garnered from the international event.

Recall some 70 Ethiopian youth delegates participated in the World Youth Festival that was held with aim to create a platform for networking between young people all over the planet.

Alemtsehay Gadissa, a participant and an expert of Youth Participation and Coordination at the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs of Ethiopia, told FBC that her participation at the WYF 2024 enabled her to draw lessons from international experiences in various fields.

She said the festival enabled her and her colleagues to acquire lessons on a range of fields in a way that would help them contribute to peace and development aspirations of Ethiopia.

Alemtsehay pointed out: “We have attended several events focused on a wide range of areas including culture, science and art. We also leveraged the event to promote Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony, cuisines and folk costumes of nations, nationalities and peoples of our country.

Alemtsehay added: “we also took the opportunity to acquaint peer participants from various world countries with Ethiopia’s historical and cultural heritages and tourist attraction sites.”

Another member of Ethiopian youth delegate to WYF and President of Russia-Africa Youth Association, Dawit Zegeye, said that the festival provided him with a chance to meet a range of youths from a variety of fields, all working for the improvement of their respective countries and the world at large.

“We met with youth entrepreneurs and millionaires drawn from various countries. Meeting these young leaders enabled us to obtain new insights and ideas that would help us to contribute to development endeavors in our country,” he explained.

“We have returned home filled with inspiration and an unwavering commitment to address address national, regional and global challenges. Apart from the festival, we were engaged in networking sessions, music concerts and tours to factories, higher education institutions and technology hubs in various cities of Russia,” he mentioned.

Martha Getachew, a marketing and business development specialist and also a model, stated “through engaging in workshops, cultural exchanges and collaborative projects, I was able to connect with like-minded youths who shared a passion for making a difference in the world.”

She also appreciated the warm welcoming and hospitality the Ethiopian delegation received from Russian volunteers who took part in the coordination of the festival.

“The festival helped me to clearly understand the transformative power of youth gatherings in reshaping attitudes and creating inspiration towards a better future. I can say that the festival was melting pot of cultures, ideas and skills.” Martha added.

Unlike her companions, Helina Belete, another member of the Ethiopian youth delegation to WYF, threw light on the diverse landscapes and geographic features of towns, cities and regions of Russia visited by the youth delegates.

“In addition to the opportunity to share experiences, knowledge and skills with my peers from all over the world, the festival allowed me to explore mesmerizing natural landscapes, vibrant cultures and traditions in the Russian Federation,” Helina noted.

The Festival involved participation of some 20,000 young leaders in areas of business, media, international cooperation, culture, science, education, volunteering and charity, sports and various areas of public life.

Director of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa, Alexander Evstigneev, during an exclusive interview with FBC, lauded the participation of the Ethiopian youth delegates in the World Youth Festival as a good opportunity to further cement cultural and people to people ties between Russia and Ethiopia.

“We selected the participants in collaboration with the Russian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and youth associations in the country based on clear criteria including their age and capabilities,”

Regarding the activities the center has been undertaking, the Director said “We are working to promote the Russian culture, scientific achievements, educational advancements and scholarship programs thereby cementing the longstanding and historical ties with Ethiopia.”

The center is providing Ethiopian children and students with free Russian language courses to help them easily pursue undergraduate and post graduate educational programs in universities of Russia and learn about history, culture and development of Russia, he remarked.

“The center is also providing preparatory courses of various fields including the Russian language, math, engineering, computer sciences, among others, for Ethiopian students who are set to join Russian universities,” he disclosed.

“We have also embarked on geological classes with a view to help Ethiopian students and experts explore immense natural resources of the country and contribute to development of the mining and related sectors,” the Director pointed out.

Russia has increased the number of quotas for free scholarship to Ethiopian students from 35 to 100, Alexander Evstigneev said, pledging the commitment of the center to further boost cooperation between his country and Ethiopia in the areas of culture, science and education.

Saying that Ethiopia’s accession to BRICS helps the nation to attract more foreign investments and facilitate access to new markets, the Director stressed the need to cement cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

“Russian cultural teams and musical ensembles have so far performed in events organized by the center as well as the Embassy in Addis Ababa. And we are now working to arrange a cultural exchange for Ethiopian singers and artists to present their works in Russia in the upcoming November as part of the efforts to enhance cultural and people to people relations between our two countries,” the Director added.

By: Wondesen Aregahegn