Urals Veterans Share War Stories to Strengthen Youth Patriotism and Resilience
An off-site meeting of the Coordination Council for Patriotic Education took place in early March at Aramilskaya Sloboda Park. The event focused on supporting veterans, protecting young people from extremism, and strengthening patriotism through education. Deputy head of the Southern District administration, Roman Valov, opened the discussions by stressing the importance of shielding the younger generation from misinformation and ideological threats.
The meeting introduced the 'SVO and Families of the Urals: Living Stories' project, designed to help veterans transition back into civilian life. Through patriotic initiatives, the project encourages veterans to share their experiences with schoolchildren, fostering understanding and connection. Natalya Shmidko, one of the organisers, noted that such personal stories make patriotic education more engaging and meaningful for young audiences.
A key topic was the prevention of student involvement in illegal activities and extremism. The roundtable *'Online Traps: Protecting Students from Extremism and Criminal Recruitment'* was moderated by Shmidko and Maxim Tomilov. Experts at the session emphasised the need for better critical thinking skills among students, as well as the creation of constructive online content to counter extremist narratives. Support for veterans of the special military operation and their families was also a major focus. The project includes a mobile exhibition, which, as of March 2026, has either visited or scheduled tours in 12 municipalities across Moscow's Southern Administrative Okrug. This travelling display aims to bring the stories of veterans and their families directly to local communities.
The meeting outlined concrete steps to strengthen patriotic education and safeguard young people. The 'Living Stories' project will continue its mobile exhibition, while further discussions will explore ways to combat online extremism. Authorities plan to expand engagement formats to ensure veterans and their families receive ongoing support.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
