In honor of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development [8] on May 21 and the campaign to “do one thing for diversity [9],” IREX is pleased to highlight the recent efforts of two Russian students. Anastasia and Alina coordinated events in their home communities to showcase the power of youth coming together to promote tolerance and cultural awareness inspired by their experiences studying in the United States as participants in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program [10].
In Tula, Anastasia, worked with students in her university community to develop a “Celebrate Diversity Campaign,” aimed at improving youth voice and their ability to dialogue and take action on important issues such as racial discrimination. “…For me diversity of opinions, views, ethnicities, and languages is an essential quality of the modern world. Here in Russia we have a long way to go in the direction of mutual respect and tolerance. But I love my country and think it is the only possible future for such historically and ethnically rich people,” said Anastasia.
The campaign events used drama, team-building games, art workshops, and peer-to-peer discussion to challenge the youth participants to connect these larger international issues to their community. Commenting on the success of the campaign, Anna, a student participant and speaker said, “We managed to turn some student’s minds to the problem and make them think of the ways out and some solutions.”
In the ethnically diverse city of Chelyabinsk, Alina worked with the world’s largest international student-driven organization, AIESEC [11], to organize “Celebrating Peace and Diversity – Chelyabinsk for Peace,” an event dedicated to creating a harmonious and more tolerant community. “…My UGRAD experience helped me realize how much a community can benefit from truly embracing the diversity of ideas, beliefs and cultures. I was truly inspired by the great efforts made by my host community to engage culturally and linguistically diverse groups in the life of the city and the country at large.”
At the event more than 140 community members, socialized, played outdoor games, made paper cranes and doves, and watched performances by musicians, including participants from Argentina and Iraq. Through song and interaction, community members were encouraged to re-think their personal views of diversity. One participant noted, “…we are of different nationalities and come from different countries, but if we can live in harmony and laugh together here today in this small group then it is possible to do on a global scale too.”
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia [10] is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs [12], is supported by the people of the United States, and implemented by IREX.