une 2022 witnessed the biggest youth event in Russia. The International Youth Forum Eurasia Global has been taking place since 2016. It is considered one of the most remarkable youth forums. The forum attracts participation from various regions and countries. This year’s forum took place in the southwestern Russian city of Orenburg.

This seventh Eurasia Youth Forum had representatives from 63 countries. This year, the 23-member delegation representing Pakistan was the biggest. The delegation included people from all provinces of the country, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The week-long forum started on June 8. 133 participants had submitted their applications for participation and competition. Pakistanis submitted a total of 11 applications, presented their projects and shared their ideas. Namra Nasyr, the creative director and head of Skillpil, led the Green delegation for the first time and was part of the future Team Pakistan.

Talking about the delegation, Nasyr said, “Team Pakistan comprised versatile young stars. We had people from different walks of life and regions.” She added, “Our delegates confidently presented their projects and startups at Eurasia. It was a moment of pride for me as well as the country.”

She said leading the delegation was a great experience. “We left no stone unturned while trying to recruit the best possible delegates,“ Nasyr said.

The application process, team management and the preparation are not easy. “To accomplish our task, we worked for more than a month, planning everything from visa and participation to accommodation.

Asif Mehdi, a young entrepreneur from Gilgit Baltistan, presented a project at the forum. Mehdi secured a deal with a Russian non-governmental organisation, Clean Games, to initiate the project. Clean Games is a civic organisation working with eco-activists to create clean-up events.

Mehdi described his achievement, “Clean Games and my company Baltistan Adventure will in partnership initiate this project in Pakistan. I have received the confirmation email. They are willing to work on my idea. Soon we will engage young people in this project.”

“Team Pakistan comprised some versatile young stars. We had people from different walks of life and regions. Our delegates confidently presented their projects and startups in Eurasia. It was a moment of pride for me as well as the country.”

The young entrepreneur says, “I am in contact with various Russian firms interested in investing in Pakistan. The opportunity provided by Future Team Pakistan has boosted my morale and helped me start my project.”

The Future Team Pakistan is a youth-based NGO that aims to provide opportunities for international exchange programmes to young people.

The head of Future Team Pakistan, Danyal Hayat says “I am proud of the youngsters, who represented Pakistan on our behalf”. He adds, “we started with the aim of promoting and building young leaders from Pakistan. We have provided them with a chance to interact with the international community.”

Hayat says, “the selection process is transparent. We ensured gender equality and diversity. Our delegates presented their startups and shared their ideas with the European Commission. A few of them won grants. “

Hassan Ashraf, a delegate from Faisalabad, said, “It was my dream to present my project in Europe. Luckily, I got a chance. We are striving to build a quality education model for schools in Pakistan. I have tried to introduce the new face of Pakistan through my Ummed School project. It was appreciated. I received the best programme project pitch award.”

The seven-day forum had various tracks, including Track Good which offered knowledge, information and discussion about volunteerism. Track Media mainly focused on digital and traditional media and effective use of conventional and digital media. Track Career, offered workshops, discussions and dialogue on career counselling and the gap between instruction and job market. The delegates from Pakistan participated in all tracks, says Zainab Nawaz, a delegate and a lecturer by profession.

Zainab Nawaz gave a presentation on Role of Media in Shaping People’s Perceptions“. She also discussed strategies and ways of collaboration with notable speakers to open doors for Pakistani student communities. Several speakers at the forum showed an interest in higher education and incorporation of EdTech skills among Pakistani students.

Hundreds of volunteers from various regions of Russia engaged in the forum. Over 500 young leaders and professionals participated. The Russian minister for culture and tourism, the deputy governor of the Orenburg region and head of the European Economic Commission also exchanged views with the participants.

The grants approved for various projects totaled around 8.3 million rubles.

The writer is a journalist/  documentary producer. He can be reached at jranasahmed18@yahoo.com