Press Centre

Pre-Summit Training is Completed

On May 13, 2007, the Russian Junior 8 Summit delegation finished its pre-summit training program, which was organized by St. Petersburg State University.

The Russian delegation members formed opinions, backed up by facts, concerning all the topics that are planned for discussion at the summit, learned how to appropriately carry on a discussion of these subjects and other timely topics, in English. On the last day of their summit preparation, the group developed their basic tenets which underlie the team’s basic position.

Not of lesser importance were the team building skills that the group learned from psychologists employed at SpbSU and the Non-Governmental Educational Institution “Architecture of the Future.” The teens now can cope with stress, support each other, and make effective use of information that they are given.

The members of the Russian delegation acquired these skills during their pre-summit training which took place 10-12 hours per day for a total of 7 days. The preparation of these youngsters included intensive lessons, interesting sessions with speakers, and a full schedule of leisure activities. When the teens weren’t studying they watched a festive parade, and a fireworks display, saw the opening of the bridges in St. Petersburg, visited a sea-aquarium, and toured SpbSU, as well as the Higher Education School of Russian Folk Art. A host of different professionals met with the delegation. This list includes: L. A. Verbiskaya, the Rector of SpbSU; V. V. Markovchin, advisor to the Deputy Minister of Education in Russia; M. I. Krotov, the General Secretary of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries; I. V. Dubinnikov, Administrative Director of Power Machines; E. Stanislavov, UNICEF advisor to Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and the CIS countries; and T. Ushakova, participant in the 2006 Junior 8 Summit. They all wished the Russian delegation well on their trip to the 2007 Junior 8 Summit.

The Russian delegation will meet again on May 31 in St. Petersburg to be fully prepared for such an important life event for both them and Russia in general. On June 2, the delegation will leave for Germany.