The World Youth Festival Assembly officially commenced its business programme today, September 18 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, welcoming 2,000 young leaders from 120 nations, including a significant contingent from across the African continent.

The event aims to foster cross-cultural dialogue and collaborative future-building among the world’s youth.

The assembly, which saw its first participants arrive on September 17, brings together 1,000 Russian and 1,000 international delegates for a series of 86 events spanning seven key areas: media, creative industries, public administration, entrepreneurship, sports, education and science, and digitalisation.

From Ghana, there are five young participants from different fields.

Moving beyond traditional formats, the programme features interactive lectures, talk shows, case study sessions, and workshops.

A central focus will be on "trend battles," where experts debate pressing global issues. One highly anticipated session, "AI. Helper or Enemy," will feature perspectives from Aisha Bin (UAE), a digital transformation expert, and Alexander Rapoport (Russia), a psychotherapist and media personality.

A significant highlight for delegates from BRICS nations and the Global South is the official launch of the BRICS International Business Mentoring Programme.

A dedicated case study session, "The Power of Mentoring," will see experts from Russia, Indonesia, and Iran share best practices and discuss how mentoring can unlock potential, particularly for women leaders and young entrepreneurs.

Fifty international participants will undertake a unique three-day media intensive run by the New Media Workshop. This course, focusing on content creation, neural networks, and countering misinformation, is designed to form a new international content centre to produce youth-focused media about Russia.

Reflecting the event's inclusive spirit, a parallel programme for teenagers aged 14-17, organised by the Movement of the First, will focus on intercultural dialogue, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

These young participants will develop their own projects and collaborate on an immersive, improvisational theatre performance.

Beyond the business agenda, the festival offers a rich cultural experience. Delegates can engage in masterclasses on Russian folk crafts, enjoy traditional tea ceremonies, and participate in unique interactive events.

Partners like the presidential platform Russia – Country of Opportunities are creating an epicentre of Russian hospitality, while the Bank of Russia will host sessions on financial literacy and cybersecurity.

Zarad Esraa, a student from Egypt studying in Russia, shared her enthusiasm: “It was a dream come true for me to be a part of this great large-scale event… Russia gives young people a chance. In other countries we don’t see this support; we can’t share our ideas as freely.”

The Assembly is organised by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

It forms part of Russia’s ongoing commitment to international youth cooperation, building on the legacy of the 2024 World Youth Festival in Sirius and looking ahead to a larger festival in 2030.

Delegates are accommodated at the innovative NEIMARK IT campus, a new inter-university educational ecosystem in Nizhny Novgorod.