Центр Межнационального сотрудничества

From 20^th to 21^st March 2009, a training session on the problems of xenophobia, racism and extremism among youth was held in Novosibirsk. The

 Seminar conducted by the Centre for Interethnic Cooperation has brought together representatives of national youth movements and organizations of Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk.

On 21st March Novosibirsk celebrated Navruz - traditional spring festival symbolising the beginning of a new year for Iranian, Caucasian and Turkish people. So that is how it all started - with a Saturday afternoon celebration. The residents and guests of Novosibirsk were brought together in The House of National Cultures named after Zavolokin, where artists of various nationalities prepared a festive concert.

One could enthusiastically support the local athletes participating in the national wrestling - Kuresh. What is more, everyone was eagerly trying on national costumes and admiring the photo and household items exhibition. While in front of the House of National Cultures building the mass festivities started. Yurt, girls in national costumes, pilaff, bonfire of friendship, tug of war, jumping in the bags competition - everyone found something for their own tastes.

After having received a charge of energy and festive mood in Navruz, we went back to the House of National Cultures, where the seminar was held. In Europe, the 21^st March is the international day against racism and xenophobia. While in Novosibirsk it became the day to get together for all Armenians, Bashkir, Tatar, Azeri, Russian, Belarusian, Yakut, Koreans and many others and discuss the issues of tolerance, assimilation, social insecurity and loss of national characteristics.

While working in groups the young people were expressing the problems concerning them:

Group No. 1

1. Housing problems.
2. Unemployment.
3. The problem of self-realization.
4. Relations between the sexes.
5. Bad habits.
6. Nervousness and triviality.
7. The problem of fathers and children.
8. Laziness.
9. Aggression and aggressive propaganda through the media.

Group No. 2

1. The problems of assimilation.
2. Intolerance.
3. Lack of government programs on national politics among young people (media, education).
4. Social problems: unemployment, insecurity, difficulties in obtaining education, drug addiction and alcoholism

Group No. 3

1. Social problems
- Unemployment;
- Homelessness;
- Negative social trends.
2. Dependencies:
- Drugs;
- Gambling;
- Tobacco;
- Alcohol.
3. Problems of personality.
- Passivity;
- Unwillingness to learn, to grow;
- Exposure to public opinion;
- Lack of ideology;
- Loss of cultural identity.
Personality Problems happen largely due to the influence of the media

Group No. 4
1. The loss of national characteristics (globalisation).
2. Lack of funds.
3. Skinheads.
4. Problems of employment.
5. Lack of national-cultural activities.
6. Housing problems.
7. Social insecurity.
8. Dependencies

After a lengthy and lively discussion about the life of young people, tolerance, xenophobia and about how one could enjoy the unity and diversity of the world, Ashot Ayrapetyan invited to answer the question "Why is tolerance profitable?".

The results were these:

Group  No.1
Fascism, xenophobia and  extremism would disappear, which would lead to such positive results:

• 1. For the state:
  i. Population explosion.
  ii. Less problems with skinheads.
  iii. Less cash expenditures
• 2. For the individual and society.
  i. Comfort in society will reduce social deprivation.
  ii. Cultural enlightening for today's youth.
  iii. Improving mental and physical health of future generations.
  iv. The increase in alternative social recreation.

Group No. 2
1. Tackling domestic chauvinism.
2. The beauty of interethnic communication.
3. Spiritual enrichment.
4. easier to identify ourselves by nationality.
5. Officials will get smarter.
6. Tolerance at the State level will have an impact on foreign relations.
7. Improving the gene pool.
8. Reducing fear of the migration flow

Group No 3.

1. Personal Development.
a. Spiritual values.
b. The moral and ethical values.
c. Culture.
d. Tradition.
e. Education.


2. The development of society.
a. Tourism (economic and financial profit).
b. Demographic growth.