Mr Medvedev’s decree comes in support of an initiative put forward by the State Duma. The goal of holding the Year of Young People is to enhance young people’s creativity, make them more competitive academically and professionally, encourage them to take a more active part in the social and economic transformations in the country and cultivate their patriotic and civic spirit.
This year, Russia is marking Year of the Family, and 2007 was Year of the Russian Language.