Hssaine Akram, a 16‑year‑old from Morocco, has been chosen to join 1,000 teenagers representing 99 countries at the 2026 International Festival of Youth (IFY) Children’s Programme in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The cohort, aged 14 to 17, was selected from nearly 16,500 applicants worldwide.
Akram welcomed the warm reception offered to international participants upon arrival. “I think it is a huge honour for us to be here because we can see just how warmly Russia treats and welcomes teenagers from all over the world. We are very grateful for that,” he said.
The Movement of the First, which launched the programme under the festival’s “Follow Your Dream” theme, aims to foster international collaboration, cultural exchange and youth‑led initiatives. Chairman of the Board Artur Orlov said the programme was designed to help children from different countries develop and advance joint projects, creating a space of friendship that showcases Russia’s openness and hospitality.
Participants will engage in 60 laboratories and workshops across science, digitalisation, IT, creative industries, culture, sport, health, media, public administration and entrepreneurship. Organisers expect the teens to develop about 60 projects, which experts and partner organisations will assess for potential implementation in Russia and beyond.
The Children’s Programme features more than 250 activities delivered by 120 partner institutions, including universities, technology firms, cultural organisations and state‑owned enterprises. Over 100 speakers, experts and a dozen performing artistes are slated to contribute.
Roman Bogatyrev, Advisor to the Chairman of the Movement of the First, highlighted additional activities such as physical fitness tests, esports masterclasses, cultural programmes, off‑site events and a children’s newsroom where participants can produce and publish social media content. Other attractions include the “City of the Future” exhibition and an interactive Ethnographic Village showcasing Russian traditions.
The festival, running from 11 to 17 September 2026, will also host a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the International Association of Children’s Organisations. With 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries—5,000 Russians and 5,000 international participants—IFY 2026 promises a vibrant platform for cross‑cultural dialogue and innovation.
Akram and his peers will return home with new ideas, networks and a deeper appreciation of global cooperation, setting the stage for future collaborative projects across industries.
