The event for representatives of the VFD veterans' and youth associations started at the Penza State University on Friday, February 28, 2020.
Vladimir Kolchin, Deputy Plenipotentiary representative of RF President in Volga Federal District, and Vyacheslav Bocharov, Hero of Russia, first Deputy Secretary of the RF Civic Chamber and the national project "Relay Race of Generations" coordinator, have been honoured guests of the event.
The project is aimed at preserving the country's historical and labour heritage, strengthening ties and transferring experience from one generation to another. Such forums were successfully held in 10 regions of the country in 2016-2017 in the pilot mode.
"I am proud that the Penza Oblast was chosen as a venue in 2020, that the organisers recognised the high level at which programs for young generation's patriotic and professional education are implemented in our region," Ivan Belozertsev stated it his opening speech.
"Mentoring works in production, in secondary vocational education institutions, in the field of health, business and agriculture involving college students," he added.
The Governor emphasised the older generation's special role in transmitting professional and life experience and preserving historical memory. Vladimir Kolchin, who read forum members Igor Komarov's (Plenipotentiary representative of the Russian Federation in Volga Federal District) greeting, drew people's attention to the importance of supporting the veterans' movement.
"The word 'veteran' has a special meaning in Russia, it refers to those who earned the special love and respect of the country's citizens, who selflessly fought and worked for the prosperity of the Fatherland, those to whom Russia is grateful," the appeal said. "You provide invaluable assistance in education, and your life itself is the best counteraction to the history falsification".
Vyacheslav Bocharov quoted the message of Aleksandra Levitskaya, the RF President's adviser.
"Veterans want to be in demand, they have a high sense of duty to the Fatherland, and they are keepers of historical memory," he said.
Forum participants laid flowers at the monument to the Great Patriotic War soldiers, who were teachers and graduates of the Penza State University.
