Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a decree founding a new Russian youth movement called “Big change”. The participation of children in this organization, according to Moscow, must be voluntary and the objective will be to instill values such as “patriotism, civility and respect for elders”, in addition to providing “spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical foundations”. for the development of children,” says the Kremlin.
According to the independent Russian body Meduza, Putin to head youth movement supervisory board, completely controlling the organization and outlining its agenda. In turn, the congress will organize the events that will take place “at least once every two years”.
How the youth movement will work is not yet fully understood, but it is known that children from the age of six can join the organization and integrate it until the end of their school career. In geographical terms, the movement will spread throughout the Russian territory.
A source in the lower house of the Russian parliament told Meduza that the youth movement arose as a result of an “electoral request” for a “system” complementary to schools. “Sociologists have registered this request for the last 15 years. The educational function has been transferred to schools, but people are not satisfied with their work”, explained this source, adding that the movement will also help fight against “the influence of the Internet”.
Another source close to the Kremlin said that members of the youth movement will be better protected against “foreign influence” and they will grow up as “patriots”.
“The Great Shift” has some similarities with the pioneer movement in the Soviet Union, which at that time was subordinate to the Communist Party. However, the youth movement led by Vladimir Putin is supposed to be a nonpartisan organization. In fact, it is forbidden for political parties, religious groups and unions to join the “Great Change”.
Source: Observadora
