Mr Ivanov thanked the heads of the patriotic centres, clubs and associations for their work and noted that this was the first time that representatives of these organisations have come from all around the country to exchange experience and coordinate their future work. Mr Ivanov said it is important for people working in patriotic education to have an understanding of the general goals and also concrete content guidelines and common approaches and methods for educational programmes.
Mr Ivanov spoke of the importance of finding new and interesting ways of getting young people involved in patriotic activities. This is one of the aims of the 2016–2020 Patriotic Education in Russia programme, currently going through the approvals process in the Government. Mr Ivanov also called on the event’s participants to work actively together with the Russian Geographical Society, Search Movement of Russia, the 70th Anniversary of Victory National Volunteer Corps, and environmental protection and local history groups.
Mr Ivanov mentioned traditional forms of patriotic work, such as reciprocal ties between military units and educational establishments, and extracurricular patriotic education programmes. Effective work in these areas can contribute greatly to increasing civic activeness, getting people involved in the country’s life, and developing constructive interest in Russia’s past and future, Mr Ivanov said.
The national seminar and conference is taking place in Moscow on October 26–28 and brings together more than 650 leaders of patriotic organisations from 77 different regions.