On August 31, the regional government held a meeting of the Council for Interaction with National and Religious Associations under the Governor of Saratov Region.

The meeting was opened by Acting Governor of Saratov region Roman Busargin. ‘Good- neighbourliness, diversity of cultures and religions, preservation of national traditions are what we especially value, which makes our region stronger. Tasks are expanding. Fostering patriotism among young people requires a systematic and integrated approach, covering all levels of education, and creating new platforms for the dialogue. Your experience here is very important for us,’ Roman Busargin addressed to the participants of the meeting. ‘Our common goal is to educate patriotic youth by teaching, an objective assessment of historical and modern events. It is them who will develop our region and country. You are our partners. The government will continue to support all your educational projects, including in cooperation with the education system,’ he underlined.

SSU Rector Aleksei Chumachenko made a report at the meeting on the first issue of the agenda – the implementation of educational projects about the culture of the peoples of Russia in schools and universities.

‘Graduates will have to live and work in the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-confessional society. In this case, it is necessary to develop their competencies in intercultural communication. At the same time, it is extremely important for students to realise the value and independence of Russian culture as the culture of our sovereignty,’ the rector noted.

Saratov University hosts numerous events for young people on the preservation of historical heritage, cultural and national traditions: curators’ meetings, panel discussions and lectures, competitions, meetings with public and religious organisations, as well as cultural workers. The SSU International Office organises meetings and trainings for foreign students aimed at studying the traditions of Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister of the region – Minister of Education of the region Mikhail Orlov and Deputy Chair of the Regional Jewish National-Cultural Autonomy of Saratov Region public organization, Deputy Chair of the Local Jewish National-Cultural Autonomy of Saratov public organization Irina Weisman commented on educational projects about the culture of the peoples of Russia.

Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the region Sergei Yegorov spoke about the issues of preventive work on the social adaptation of refugees arriving at Saratov Region from the People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and Ukraine.

Deputy Head of the regional Centre for Combating Extremism of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Colonel Andrei Petrov and Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of the region Roman Gribov reported on the combating of spreading of radical nationalist ideology and extremist ideas among young people.