Young people in the Caribbean have signed an agreement with their peers in Russia with a view to fostering higher levels of social and cultural cooperation between the two.

At the recently concluded 6th United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum at the United Nations Headquarters, the Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) and the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations – National Youth Council of Russia (NYCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on youth Cooperation and development. The document, signed on January 30 in New York, was inked by chairperson of CRYC Tijani Christian and chairperson of the NYCR, Grigory Petushkov.

“The MOU seeks to strengthen the role of young people in social inclusion, cultural diversity and multilateral cooperation in capacity building and partnership for educational and employment opportunities to facilitate the offering of cultural exchanges, scholarships, internship and job opportunities between the Caribbean and Russia,” the parties have said.

An immediate output of the partnership is the CRYC’s involvement in the upcoming 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi, Russia scheduled for October 14 – 22, this year. The festival seeks to bring together 20,000 young people from all over the world for active participation in addressing the sustainable development agenda.

The CRYC will be a member of the National Preparatory Committee for the festival.

To ensure greater participation of Caribbean youth delegates, the partnership agreement facilitates visa-free entry for all participants from the region, and the coverage of accommodation, ground transportation, meals and a cultural programme. “What does this mean? You just need to pay your airfare and cover any other personal expenditures incurred,” the groups said in a release.

They advise that those interested in sharing in the partnership may contact the CRYC secretariat by e-mail at info.cryc@gmail.com if you do not have direct contact with your local youth councils. Application form for the 19th festival and its latest news are available on the website:

russia2017.com. The latest information about preparations for the festival is also published on the official Facebook page:www.facebook.com/wfys2017.

CRYC is the collective voice of national youth councils and represents the voice of young people across the Caribbean.

“It is a strategic youth governance and advocacy movement with one voice working towards regional representation, integration and co-operation as a platform for youth development,” the CRYC said.