BRICS Representatives Discuss Mentoring System in Temporary Children’s Groups

On 2 May 2024 the All-Russian Children’s Centre ‘Ocean’ hosted a roundtable ‘Extended Learning in Short-Term Children’s Groups – Mentorship Opportunities’, which was attended by more than 80 representatives of educational organizations from BRICS countries who shared their professional mentoring experience. Usman Rassukhanov, director of the Department of International Cooperation and Public Relations of the Russian Ministry of Education also participated in the event.

The roundtable was held online and included three semantic blocks: ‘Mentoring as a Start in Life’, ‘A Mentor’s Individual Approach in the Professional Development of a Young Teacher’, and ‘Successful Mentoring Practices in the Space of Additional Education’.

The roundtable participants emphasized that additional education at temporary children’s groups is a unique opportunity to educate the younger generation. Mentors not only help to ignite interest in new activities, but also accompany children on their path to self-realization.

During the roundtable discussions were held about the possibility of participation of foreign delegations in the ‘Children of the World’ International Programme, the International Festival of Leader Teams, and cultural exchange programmes that take place at the All-Russian Children’s Centre ‘Ocean’.

“Our Centre’s mentoring system has been proving its effectiveness for decades. Thematic meetings with mentors are held for crew members and pupils of other children's recreation organizations, as well as professional pedagogical skills competitions, in preparation for which teachers-mentors of the Centre play an important role. The Cenre implements various forms of mentoring, such as ‘teacher to teacher’ within the framework of the "School of a Young Teacher", and ‘student to student’ in various educational programmes, for example, at the Far Eastern Youth Pedagogical Forum,” said Natalya Seminyuda, deputy Director for development of the All-Russian Children’s Centre ‘Ocean’.

Experts from Russia, China, and Egypt presented thematic reports at the event. The roundtable participants concluded that the effective organization of a mentoring system requires systemic and event-based approaches, support and training of specialists, as well as the expansion of positive practices.

The Roscongress Foundation manages the events of Russia’s BRICS Chairship.