The Russian Youth Economic Agenda 2018–2024
KEY CONCLUSIONS
People are the first string of a new economy
“Our prime potential, our first resource is people. Our country has already seen this many times before, when the knowledge and values of our people have taken us out of most difficult situations. And it is people who are to build a new economy,” Ernest Matskyavichyus, Anchor, Russia TV Channel
Technology evolves by rapid leaps
“Today information technology and new services are being introduced in a wink. <…> For example, it took airplanes 70 years to become widespread, and Pokemon Go had 50 million users in a week and right away started deliberating capitalization and IPO. Naturally, all companies look around and want the same; they start investing in hardware, buying new services, computers and some cloud services. And now, in 2018, USD 1,3 billion will be spent on the transformation in the companies. This practically equals the GDP of Russia,” Dmitry Green, Vice President of Entrepreneurship, Rybakov Foundation.
“The digital economy is generation of the added cost through technologies of data storage, transfer and processing. <…> We live in the hyper connected world. Today a number of studies predict that between 2018 and 2020 more than 20 billion devices will be plugged in the network. <…> The second key word is ‘networkization’: network effect that occurs when devices and people interact in a digital environment,” Vladimir Mesropyan, Junior Researcher of the Department of Scientific and Technological Forecasting of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Economics of Knowledge of the Higher School of Economics.
The country is the oyster for entrepreneurs
“The attitude towards entrepreneurship lays the groundwork for the progress of the country into the future. We often, unfortunately, have an opinion that an entrepreneur is not cognate with ‘enterprising’ but, so to speak, a little something has done somewhat wrong somewhere. This is how it was historically formed. We must break this stereotype, because it is entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs who propel our country forward,” Alexander Bugaev, Head, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh).
PROBLEMS
Fear of social consequences of the new technologies
“The lack of corporate culture is a major factor that could scaffold these technologies, because people are in awe, they say that technology will put us out of work,” Dmitry Green
Education lags behind the technological development
“If you expect that this issue (lack of education, Ed.) will be solved by colleges and universities… no, it will not for one single reason: while you are teaching them for 3–5 years, the technology grows into something fundamentally different,” Robert Urazov, General Director, Agency for the Development of Professional Communities and Skilled Workers (WorldSkills Russia)
Youth unemployment
“The issue of youth unemployment in our country is a key factor, just as in other countries of the world. According to the published economic and social studies, a year of unemployment at the age of 22 directly correlates with a salary almost 2 thousand dollars less 10 years down the road,” Dmitry Egorchenkov, Director, Institute for Strategic Studies and Predictions, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.
SOLUTIONS
Investments in youth education
“In our programs we pledge as much money for education and internship as much as we budget for the grant itself, because the opportunity to travel around Russia, go abroad, feel the project first hand, what a sociocultural project can grow into, - we consider it our key contribution,” Xenia Frank, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Elena and Gennady Timchenko Charitable Foundation.
State assistance in unlocking the youth potential
“The Rosmolodezh’s mission is to create as many sites as possible for young people to unlock their potential. The youth’s request now is very simple – we conducted a lot of research, turned to our colleagues expertise – in addition to the basic needs they ask for work after college and housing, personal fulfilment and justice,” Alexander Bugaev.
“Both, business and state should invest effort. If we have a bank specifically for agriculture, then maybe Rosmolodezh also should think of a bank to support youth economic projects?” Dmitry Egorchenkov.
