Rustam Minnikhanov initiates the establishment of the Academy of Young Leaders

On November 12, in the city of Makhachkala of the Republic of Dagestan, Tatarstan President, Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed the participants of the fourth meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, dedicated to the issues of countering extremism among young people and education in the tradition of peaceful Islam.

Head of the Republic of Dagestan Vladimir Vasilyev also welcomed the participants of the meeting.

In his welcoming speech, Minnikhanov on behalf of all participants thanked Vasilyev and all Dagestan colleagues for their hospitality and facilitation of the meeting organization and expressed confidence that the meeting in Makhachkala will help them to learn from their experience on prevention of extremism among young people by means of education and will contribute to the development of cooperation with Russia in the development of intercivilizational and intercultural relations.

As many as 25 events have already been held under the patronage of the Group in 2018.

“Of course, the key event of this year is the fourth meeting of the Group, being held in hospitable Dagestan these days. One of the important directions of the activities of our Group is cooperation in the area of education and interaction with young people. In light of the military defeat of the terrorist group ISIL, the question of the ideological orientation of young people, their education and successful implementation of the programme is on the agenda. I am sure that in order to effectively counter religious extremism, it is necessary to add work of a scientific and educational nature to the measures already used,” Tatarstan President emphasized.

According to Tatarstan President, accumulation and implementation of negative protest potential occurs in the youth environment the most rapid way.  Negative economic, social, political and other factors contribute to the formation of radical attitudes and beliefs in the youth environment. Terrorist and extremist organizations actively use modern information technologies, popular among young people, to ensure the constant indoctrination and recruitment of their supporters. 

“I am sure that each participating country of the Strategic Vision Group has its own successful examples of working with young people. The exchange of experience and best practices in this area will undoubtedly contribute to the solution of our common strategic task, namely, the training of highly qualified personnel, including religious education and the latest educational development and methods,” Minnikhanov addressed the members of the meeting. He initiated the establishment of a joint Academy of Young Leaders, which envisages the coordinated training of highly qualified young personnel. Under the Academy, it is proposed to develop a training programme for young people and organize courses both in Russia, in particular, at the Bolgar Islamic Academy and in the countries of the Islamic world, interested in the project.