Lesson 3: Pushkin Institute – The nucleus promoting school diplomacy

In the context of increasingly deep international integration, school diplomacy continues to affirm its important role in strengthening the friendship and educational cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation. Cultural and academic exchange programs not only help the young generations of the two countries enhance mutual understanding but also create a solid foundation for future cooperation activities.

As one of the leading units in this field, the Pushkin Institute in Hanoi has been quietly but persistently cultivating the "green shoots" of friendship through the love of language and cultural appreciation between the two peoples.

From small classrooms to open cultural playgrounds

Sharing with Nhan Dan Newspaper reporters, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Dat, Director of the Pushkin Institute in Hanoi, said that, realizing the importance of people's diplomacy, the Pushkin Institute always closely coordinates with the Central Committee of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association of Hanoi City, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam, and educational institutions, organizations and units of Vietnam and Russia in activities to promote the Russian language and culture to Vietnamese people, while also promoting Vietnamese culture to Russian friends and other countries.

“Through the activities that the Institute has organized for many years, we have realized that popularizing the exchange of languages ​​and cultures of ethnic groups through 'school diplomacy' is a way to connect hearts, connect people, connect cultures very naturally, without forcing, but very effective. Friendships nurtured in young people will grow over the years, being a solid foundation for friendship and cooperation in the future,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Dat shared.

With over 40 years of presence in Vietnam, the Pushkin Institute is not only a prestigious Russian language training center but also a place to spread the cultural values, history and fine traditions of Russia to thousands of Vietnamese students. At the same time, this is also an ideal destination for Russian students to do internships and experience Vietnamese culture.

In the journey of promoting school diplomacy, the Pushkin Institute has organized a series of meaningful activities in various forms: from cultural festivals, poetry, painting, essay writing competitions, to practical experience activities. A typical example is the Cultural Festival "Multi-colorful Vietnam-Russia" - an annual event now in its 8th year, considered the Institute's own "brand", attracting a large number of students from both countries to participate.

Winter farewell ceremony - one of the annual activities of the Institute, attracts a large number of students from Hanoi to participate.

The Institute also cooperated with the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association and the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association to organize the international children's drawing contest "I draw Vietnam. I draw Russia", a playground for students to learn, express their understanding and deep feelings about the culture, nature and history of the neighboring country through innocent and touching drawings.

In addition to on-site activities, the Pushkin Institute is also a bridge to bring Vietnamese students to participate in summer camps at the Artek International Children's Center on the Black Sea coast, or short-term courses at Russian universities. This is a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese students to directly experience the country, people and culture of Russia - valuable luggage for future "cultural ambassadors".

In return, Russian students coming to Vietnam also have the opportunity to “live and study together” with Vietnamese students through internship programs, exchanges at high schools, visits to famous places and participation in community activities. These direct and sincere interactions are the source of nurturing mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Each program is organized with the aim of promoting Russian and Vietnamese language and culture, deepening the friendship between the youth of the two countries and contributing to spreading the humanistic values ​​of school diplomacy in the community.

Trying to overcome difficulties to keep the passion burning

Besides the successes, the Institute is also facing many difficulties, especially in terms of organizational costs.

“We do not have a fixed budget, our equipment is limited, and our location is not large enough to host large-scale events. Therefore, to maintain our operations, we must make efforts to connect, mobilize sponsorship, and coordinate with units with better facilities,” she confided.

Summer camps and courses in Russia are often fully sponsored by the Russian side for accommodation, meals, and sightseeing, but airfare and personal expenses are still a big obstacle for many families. In recent years, the pandemic and geopolitical situation have also significantly affected plans for organizing international exchange activities.

Vietnamese students visit the VDNKh national economic achievements exhibition center, Moscow, 2019, within the framework of participating in the Artek summer camp.

However, optimism and belief in the value of school diplomacy are always the driving force for the Pushkin Institute to continue to overcome difficulties. “We believe that these difficulties are only temporary. With the support of friendship organizations and the community of people who love Russian-Vietnamese culture, the Institute will continue to foster friendship with more practical and meaningful programs,” affirmed the Director of the Pushkin Institute.

Looking to the future, the Pushkin Institute aims to expand the scale and improve the effectiveness of school diplomacy activities. Some of the proposals put forward include: increasing the organization of joint activities for students from different countries, creating conditions for them to exchange, make friends and learn about each other's cultures; calling for sponsorship from international organizations and businesses; and further, building international summer camps right in Vietnam.

“Vietnam has beautiful nature and rich culture - if we can organize an international exchange camp here, our country can completely become an attractive destination for young people from other countries,” the Director of the Institute believes.

From “school diplomacy” to “people diplomacy” – a sustainable bridge of friendship

With a close, creative and dedicated approach, the Pushkin Institute is making an important contribution to the sustainable development of people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Through language, culture and people-to-people connections, school diplomacy not only sows the seeds of understanding but also acts as the glue that binds the young generations of the two countries - the future owners of the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Academic diplomacy is not only a way for students to broaden their horizons, but also an important foundation to maintain and develop bilateral cooperation in the future. To maximize the potential of this field, there needs to be close coordination between educational institutions, social organizations and businesses of the two countries.

With continuous efforts, school diplomacy will continue to be a solid bridge, connecting the young generations of the two countries and contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam-Russian Federation relations.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bai-3-phan-vien-puskin-hat-nhan-thuc-day-ngoai-giao-hoc-duong-post871982.html