In Russia, young scientists were sent on a cruise down the Volga to envision the country's future

Russian authorities sent 120 young political scientists, philosophers, cultural studies scholars, and other specialists on a five-day “expedition” down the Volga River. Participants on the cruise aboard the “Swan Lake” are tasked with developing a “vision of the future” for Russia.

Following the trip, the participants are to prepare a “philosophical master plan,” which they plan to present to Rosmolodezh, the presidential platform “Russia—A Country of Opportunities,” and the Expert Institute for Social Research.

The document is expected to include scenarios for Russia’s development in various spheres, including the economy, politics, religion, and public life.

The “expedition” format includes not only lectures and discussions but also fieldwork in the cities where the ship will dock.

According to Ruslan Shkuta, the leader of the group of young scientists, the researchers will interact with local residents and ask them about their concerns, problems, and visions for the future.

In addition, participants will attend lectures on the future of Russia. In particular, Alexander Kharichov, head of the Russian President’s Office for Monitoring and Analysis of Social Processes, is scheduled to speak about the challenges facing the so-called “Russian civilization.”

Presentations by philosopher Alexander Dugin and representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church are also planned.

Shkuta explained exactly how the expedition participants plan to shape their vision of the future:

“We will discuss the challenges, explore dystopias, use them as a starting point, move on to utopias, and from this synthesis create a vision of the future in three areas—society, the state, and the individual,” Shkuta noted.

Andrei Betin, CEO of the presidential platform “Russia—Land of Opportunities,” called the young scientists “the backbone that will ensure, at the very least, a secure future for Russians.”

At the same time, Grigory Gurov, head of Rosmolodezh, stated that Russian authorities constantly need expert support to evaluate government decisions and identify new directions.

According to him, the authorities need to understand “what works, what doesn’t, how to proceed, how to change course, and how to redirect or reallocate available resources.”

Gurov also emphasized that his agency is ready to help young scientists bring their ideas to life.

Valery Fedorov, head of the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research (VTsIOM)—which is considered close to the Russian presidential administration—stated that there are high expectations for the expedition.

According to him, the trip should yield “insights, ideas, initiatives, proposals, and projects.”

“We all face many important, serious, and pressing challenges ahead that require answers,” Fedorov emphasized.

Thus, the Russian authorities are using the five-day trip by a group of young professionals to develop a vision for the country’s future, which they plan to present to a number of government and government-affiliated agencies.

This is reported by Russian media. 

In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia must accelerate the development of its own cutting-edge technologies as quickly as possible to replace foreign solutions. He made these remarks during a meeting of the Science Council in Novosibirsk, emphasizing that technological development is key to the country’s economy and defense sector.