The event was co-organized and co-financed by IIASA together with the initiator of the Forum – the Institute for Economic Strategies (INES) of the Russian Academy of Sciences – with the financial support of the Russian Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.
As a part of IIASA’s science-diplomacy mandate, in the current time of a geopolitical crisis, we invited 40 talented young minds, together with senior experts and high-level policy makers from the European Union, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, East- and South-East Asia in a vibrant brainstorming on possible futures of the Greater Eurasian space in 2040 in economic, humanitarian and security dimensions. Demographic changes, digitalization of economy, emerging technologies such as block chains & 3D printing are all great challenges, which the next generations will have to face.
The Forum inspired young people from different countries to come up with their vision of the future of Eurasian and European integration at the turn of 2040 and to reflect on what their own contribution might be. The foresight sessions had a format of a dynamic strategic game, where young participants were exposed to presentations by senior experts and high-level policy makers and took part in interactive seminars.
Young participants had an opportunity to expand their scientific network, learn about latest developments of economic integration in the Greater Eurasian space from leading international scientists, contribute to and get experience in foresight exercises, debate with high-level policy makers from East and West. Best contributions were distinguished by certificates with honor enabling further opportunities of collaboration with IIASA (Laxenburg) and INES (Moscow).
Selected young participants of the Forum had a chance to present the results of the foresight exercise to the OSCE Ministerial Council comprising all 57 delegations of OSCE countries. The event took place in Vienna at Hofburg Palace as part of Austrian OSCE Chairmanship in 2017.
As a highlight of the Forum, young participants buried a time capsule with an "Appeal to the Youth of 2040", to be opened in 2040!
Testimonials from the participants
Nataliya Askerova
The Forum was a great opportunity to work in a multicultural team and get acquainted with other peoples’ mindset. During this week we, representatives of 19 counties across the globe, developed high-quality projects in the field of economy, security and culture. I highly appreciate my participation in the Forum - it enabled me to make a real contribution to the development of the EU-EAEU integration and substantially enriched my experience. I wish I could come back again!
Kiril Denisov
The International Youth Forum was a fascinating experience for every participant.
The work atmosphere was delightful and encouraging and led to increased productivity. Sometimes I wished we have more free time to get to know each other more and see the city, but the work on the projects was so interesting that I never complained. If I could, I would for sure participate again.
Rufina Gafeeva
Participating in the International Youth Forum “Future of Eurasian and European Integration: Foresight-2040” has been a great enrichment for me. I learned a lot from reputable scientists, policy-makers and professionals. Moreover, it was a unique opportunity to work with 40 young leaders from 19 countries. I would like to congratulate and thank the organizers - the Institute for Economic Strategies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis – for carrying out such an excellent Forum.
Inga Kazhoyan
As a lucky participant of the International Youth Forum “Future of Eurasian and European Integration: Foresight – 2040” I should say that it was a unique event full of bright moments, interesting ideas and intelligent participants from different countries and cultures.
Saturated with the atmosphere of creativity, knowledge, innovation and intensive interaction these four days were unforgettable and very informative. We learned a lot from the experts and organizers of the forum as well as from each other. All the tasks and exercises given in the framework of the Forum were very interesting and required a creative approach. Owing to the Forum, I acquired many interesting, caring, smart and talented friends from different countries with different backgrounds and mindsets. I hope that our friendship and cooperation will expand far beyond the frameworks of the Forum.
During the Forum I realized that cooperation and efficient teamwork lead to success and help to generate new ideas. Each of us tried to do one’s best to intensify cooperation and promote further integration. Since we were short of time while ideas were numerous and varied, I maintained time-management skills, learned to comprehend different points of view and develop shared understanding.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful initiative!
Kim Min Koel
I strongly believe that the Forum gave all the participants great opportunity to grasp a bigger picture of the process of Greater Eurasian integration.
If the Forum is organized on a regular basis, it will become a strong foundation for webbing tense network among the Youth in the Asia-Pacific region, the Euro-Atlantic region, and the Eurasian continent.
Especially, the more active participation of the Youth from the Asia-Pacific, the rising center of political, economic, and socio-cultural dynamics at the global level, will be able to make the Forum more effective and fruitful.
Alexey Rybalka
The forum "Foresight-2040" was very useful. It was a real work of active young people from different countries, with different competencies, which harmoniously complemented each other. A series of brainstormings within the team allowed us to forget about our current daily tasks and to touch the future not at the level of fantasy, but at the level of concrete ideas and solutions. The most important value of this forum is an active community of young people united by one task and willing to take responsibility for its implementation. Integration has already begun - are you with us?
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