«The Strength of Nations is in the Friendship of Nations!»: The Interethnic Youth Forum was held at KBSU

On May 6, the Altair Student Center of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov hosted the interethnic youth forum «The Strength of Nations is in the Friendship of Nations!», dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Over 100 students, including representatives from 34 countries studying at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University’s Graduate School of International Education, discussed the preservation of historical memory, strengthening intercultural dialogue, and the role of youth in harmonizing interethnic relations.

Dzhambulat Gergokov, Acting Minister for Ethnic Affairs and Public Projects of Kabardino-Balkaria, delivered a welcoming address. He touched on the preservation of historical truth and emphasized the key role of students in strengthening interethnic dialogue:

«The history of every nation contains difficult and tragic chapters, but we must remember them, learn from them, and move forward—not allowing anyone to speculate on historical themes or pit the peoples of Russia against each other.» By participating in such forums, young people become advocates for these values ​​among their peers and defenders of our country’s interests. International students play a special role in this process: you are the bearers of objective information about Russia in your countries, and future builders of harmonious relations between nations,» said Dzhambulat Gergokov.
Beslan Nazranov, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Educational Work, and Social Issues at KBSU, addressed the forum participants. He emphasized the university’s role as a space for fostering civic engagement and patriotism:

«Unity, mutual support, and responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland have always helped our people overcome the most difficult challenges and move forward. Today, these values ​​remain a solid foundation for the development of society, the strengthening of statehood, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Our university is not only a center of education and science, but also a space where civic engagement is formed and respect for the history of one’s country is nurtured,» Beslan Nazranov emphasized. Roman Litvinov, Director of the Kabardino-Balkarian Regional Public Organization «Veche» Society of Russian History and Culture, shared his thoughts on the nature of unity in Russian society:

«Russia’s strength lies in its ability to live together, to build dialogue, while preserving its national identity and unique cultural characteristics. Our diversity is not a challenge, but our wealth and advantage. This forum fits seamlessly into the concept of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. It is important that creative ideas be born here, for we share a common history, and responsibility for the country’s future lies in our hands,» noted Roman Litvinov.
The forum program placed special emphasis on the opening ceremony of two stands. The first, «The Russian Federation,» became a visual embodiment of our common home, uniting 89 constituent entities and over 190 ethnic groups. The second stand, «KBSU Without Borders – The Geography of Students,» vividly demonstrated the university’s international scale: today, representatives from 34 countries are studying here.

The forum’s substantive portion included a lecture by Asker Tumov, PhD in history, associate professor in the Department of General History at KBSU, and head of the «Meanings of the Caucasus» laboratory. His presentation, «Constructing the Past and Issues of Historical Memory in the North Caucasus,» generated keen interest from the audience and served as a starting point for further discussions.

Following the lecture, the forum participants moved on to practical work: in team sessions, led by moderators, the students developed project solutions aimed at strengthening interethnic harmony and fostering intercultural dialogue. The event resulted in presentations of initiatives that, according to the organizers, can be implemented both within the university and throughout the republic.

Forum participants and guests also visited the «Outstanding Graduates and Students of KBSU» exhibition, which showcased the achievements of representatives of various nationalities—those who, through their work and talent, have contributed to the development of the university and the country.

The forum was organized by the KBSU Center for Competency Assessment and Development.