Devaraine Rowe says participation at World Youth Festival in Russia was memorable experience
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Devaraine Rowe, Jamaica’s representative at the recently held World Youth Festival in Sirius Federal Territory, Russia, says the experience at the seven-day event was a memorable one.
Rowe, who is currently in the process of completing a master’s degree in international public and development management at the University of the West Indies (Mona), was among thousands of delegates representing more than 180 countries around the world.
“The overall experience of attending the World Youth Festival in Russia can be characterised as a profoundly memorable one. The journey itself, which involved traversing through multiple countries, significantly contributed to the richness of the experience. Upon arrival and acclimatisation to a new and distinct cultural environment, the interactions with diverse individuals further enhanced the memorability of the event,” Rowe shared in an interview with Observer Online recently.
He highlighted some of the standout moments in Russia.
“Several moments during the festival stood out, but to highlight a few, the arrival experience was particularly noteworthy. The volunteers assigned to the festival extended a warm welcome, not only to me but also to all participants. Their dedication to ensuring our basic needs were met and their readiness to assist with our acclimatisation to a new country was commendable. A memorable incident occurred on the first day of the event when my assigned volunteer mentioned that we’ll be going to the airport. This was initially met with confusion, as the purpose of such a visit was unclear. It was later revealed that the festival organisers had ingeniously repurposed a large building in Sochi, Russia, to simulate an airport facility for the duration of the festival. This structure featured several terminals, each hosting a variety of activities ranging from media outlets and sports to games, lectures, and presentations. This innovative transformation was a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness prevalent in the host country, ” he stated.¹
The World Youth Festival is the largest youth event in the world, and it was held under the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The festival hosted Russian and foreign leaders in such fields as business, media, international cooperation, culture, science, education, volunteering and charity, sports and various areas of public life.
The festival is organised by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and operated by the World Youth Festival Directorate.
Said Rowe, “This event is one of the biggest events to occur on an international level, with many stakeholders, ministers, and esteemed persons from various countries in attendance.”
Asked how he was selected to participate at the festival, Rowe said “My selection to participate in the festival was the result of a rigorous and competitive process that necessitated applicants to demonstrate extensive involvement in youth-related activities and initiatives. My selection was predicated on three principal qualifications: firstly, my academic background with a concentration in International Affairs; secondly, my active engagement with the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, where I serve as the lead membership and engagement officer, in addition to holding the position of vice chairperson of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council; and thirdly, my contributions to education, as I am presently an instructor in Sociology and Caribbean Studies.”
He said the experience in Russia has helped in shaping his personal development.
“I consistently derive pleasure from the experience of travelling to foreign nations. My enthusiasm is rooted in the acquisition of new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the various systems in place, such as education and government, as they pertain to different countries. This experience has been instrumental in shaping my personal development, as it has facilitated networking opportunities with individuals from diverse nations. These connections are poised to yield significant benefits, not only for my own country but also for the broader Caribbean region,” Rowe explained.
Rowe has previously represented Jamaica at the Caribbean Youth Leaders Summit in Tobago and at the World Leaders Summit in London. He has led a life of volunteerism, charity, leadership and helping others.
“In all honesty, my journey began at a young age, where I have consistently seen myself not as superior to others, but as someone capable of influencing those around me. This mindset was evident when I served as the head boy at Ballards Valley Primary School in 2010 and later on won the junior councillor title twice in St Elizabeth. Upon entering high school, my focus shifted towards pursuing my athletic aspirations more seriously, leading me to excel in various sports such as football, cricket, and track and field. Notably, I achieved the honour of representing my country in cricket at the youth level on multiple occasions. Transitioning to university, I initially received a cricket scholarship but ultimately redirected my focus towards leadership within the Stallion Republic block at Taylor Hall, characterised by its motto “born leaders”. It was within this environment that I truly discovered my potential and assumed diverse roles, including that of Taylor Hall chairman and Guild vice president,” Rowe reasoned.
He added, “What I enjoy most about this journey is not only achieving personal milestones, but also the opportunity to bring others along with me. A friend of mine was the first to help me realise my own potential, and now I find great fulfilment in assisting others in recognising and reaching their own potential as well.”
Rowe is from the small community of Ballards Valley in Southeast St Elizabeth. He attended Munro College and then the University of the West Indies where he earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations.
Additionally, his role as a resident advisor at the University of the West Indies, Mona, demonstrates his dedication to supporting and guiding fellow students.
As an educator specialising in Sociology and Caribbean Studies, Devaraine contributes to shaping the knowledge and perspectives of students in these fields.