Children and youth movements in Russia appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The first of these organizations are Scout and Orthodox. However, their role after the 1917 revolution was lost. After all, the dominant position in society was taken by the ideology of Marxism-Leninism. She began to be used to educate young people.
The decline of associations that brought together young people came in our country simultaneously with the collapse of the USSR. However, since 2000, public organizations, political parties, and the state have again begun to pay attention to working with the younger generation. The list of youth organizations in Russia was significantly expanded in 2005. This year was a record year for the appearance of such associations in the country. Today, much attention is paid to the development of youth organizations in Russia. The younger generation seek to attract everyone. This is the left, and the right, and "United Russia", and the Kremlin. Moreover, analysts note the fact that competition in the market of youth organizations and associations of Russia today has sharply tightened. “Color” revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia contributed to this. Indeed, in these countries, it was youth that became the main shock force of the traffic. But at the same time, the younger generation for the most part continues to remain apolitical. This is the biggest problem of its mobilization.
In the list of youth organizations in Russia today there are more than 427 thousand different children's and youth associations. In what areas are their activities carried out? Let's try to figure this out.
Classification
All modern youth organizations in Russia, taking into account their attitude to politics, can be divided into 4 groups.
Among them:
- Apolitical. The activities of such organizations are politically indifferent. This includes affiliations, sports and creative organizations.
- Ideological. The leaders and leaders of these youth organizations in Russia do not mention any relation to politics. Sometimes they even reject the very possibility of the younger generation participating in this direction. Nevertheless, in the program documents of these organizations, certain ideological provisions are recorded, for example, the realization of the interests and protection of the rights of youth, the civic formation of the individual with the aim of developing the spiritual, intellectual and physical potential of young people. Such organizations, in particular, include search and civic-patriotic associations.
- Political. These youth organizations of Russia are created under various political associations. Moreover, they operate in strictly defined ideological frameworks. Specific parties are vitally interested in such youth political organizations in Russia. Indeed, this allows them to educate for themselves supporters and future members from childhood and adolescence. At the same time, youth organizations use the party as their functional niche.
- Political education. These associations were created in order to train representatives of the country's political elite. Such formations do not focus on any specific doctrine of a particular party, engaged in education, as well as internships for young men and adolescents in state structures (this includes, for example, work as voluntary assistants to deputies).
Based on the degree of autonomy, all youth organizations in Russia are divided into those created at the initiative of certain individuals. Among them are the following:
- children and youth (controlled by them);
- adults (acting with their participation);
- public structures or states participating in the leadership.
They classify youth groups and organizations in Russia and in relation to social values. Based on this principle, associations of antisocial and prosocial are distinguished.
By the presence of formal registration there are associations:
- informal;
- unregistered, but acting under the auspices or on the basis of official structures (for example, school organizations);
- officially registered.
Youth organizations of Russia are subdivided according to their priority goals. So, allocate associations:
- offering the youth a certain system of values (scouts, pioneers);
- engaged in personal development;
- organizing the relationship of youth with society, for example, protecting its rights;
- providing services to those who are its members (leisure clubs, etc.).
Youth public organizations of Russia are also divided by the nature of their socialization. In this direction, associations are:
- team-oriented (pioneering organization, etc.);
- with a socially-individual orientation (scouts, etc.);
- focused on creating the necessary conditions conducive to the individual development of the individual (creative unions).
Subdivide youth organizations and the content of their activities. Among them are the following associations:
- organizing social creativity, that is, constructing an environment for acquiring social interaction skills;
- providing training, related to public structures, forming a positive attitude towards youth in their state, having a cultural character, focusing on a healthy lifestyle.
On an ideological basis distinguish:
- youth political organizations of Russia;
- near-political (not trying to proclaim political goals, but still pursuing them);
- conditionally non-ideological.
- religious are secular non-political associations that have their own system of values.
Based on the diversity of areas and activities, youth organizations can be divided into:
- multidisciplinary;
- profile.
Russian Youth Union
This organization was one of the first created in the modern history of the state. This movement arose on 05/31/1990 on the basis of the previously existing Komsomol organization. It was then that the new association officially declared its independence from the central governing body of the Komsomol Central Committee.
RSM is one of the most widespread non-political, non-profit and non-governmental youth organizations in Russia. Today it includes 77 regional offices, of which more than 150 thousand people are members. At the same time, RSM conducts annual programs. Up to 4 million people take part in them.
RSM implements more than 20 all-Russian, as well as over 200 inter-regional projects and programs for the younger generation. The highest priority areas of his work are developing and educational, patriotic and professional, leisure, sports and cultural activities. PCM helps young people in finding their place in life, in the possibility of self-realization and career advancement. This is the stated purpose of this association.
Political Youth Organizations
In such associations, that generation layer whose age has not reached 30 years is taking part. The activities of youth organizations in Russia in this area, in certain situations, contribute to the impact on state institutions and on government. In this case, such associations carry out the functions of pressure groups and interest groups. And indeed it is. Indeed, all over the world it is impossible to find a single political force that would not cultivate its values and ideals into the younger generation. This allows her to persist, constantly updating her ranks.
The peculiarity of the youth political organizations of Russia is that their main goal is not only to uphold the needs and specific interests of youth as a separate social group. They also have a desire to actively participate in the political life of the state, as well as adult citizens. Such organizations contribute to the active inclusion of youth in power. At the same time, they form the initial skills of young people, which in the future will ensure effective political participation in the life of the country. Let's get to know some of these organizations better.
AKM (“Vanguard of the Red Youth”)
This political organization was created in 1996. It was formed under the wing of Labor Russia, headed by Viktor Anpilov. But at the beginning of 2004 there was a conflict, as a result of which AKM continued its work on its own.
This youth organization focuses on direct actions and striking street actions. The AKM program indicates the adherence of this association to the ideals of socialism, but at the same time, questions of Marxist theory are not dominant for it.
The organization is a member of the Headquarters of the protest actions and a member of the left front. Today, there are several hundred activists in its composition. The most notable branches are those located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Syzran, Novosibirsk.
"Our"
This movement is considered the main youth pro-government street power. The Nashi association is anti-orange, anti-fascist and pro-presidential. The main goal of such a movement is to preserve the existing system, in which only a soft replacement of the ruling elite should be made.
The main targets of Nashi are “fascists” and liberals, that is, all those who are ready to take to the streets to put pressure on the authorities. This is exactly what happened in Ukraine and Georgia. The youth movement “Ours” is an aggressive force in the fight against destructive trends. Moreover, it is ready to use the most stringent methods of struggle.
It is worth noting that a demonstration of aggression is characteristic of many youth associations. And this is already visible in the name "Ours". That is, it implies the presence of "not ours." They, in fact, are "enemies."
The creation of the Nashi movement has become the strongest “offer” of all youth associations existing on the market. Currently, it includes almost 100 thousand members. At the same time, the main emphasis in the process of attracting young people here is on providing opportunities for self-realization, as well as for building a career and gaining access to ways to advance and other resources.
The Nashi movement is training professional managers who should replace the current ruling elite. Representatives of this association oppose the bureaucrats and fully support the country's political leadership. The participants in the movement understand that they will not be able to achieve career growth when the authorities change their career.
"Young guard"
Youth political organizations are active builders of the new Russia. And this is confirmed by the activities of the movement "Young Guard". It has some distance from the party, offers its members career growth, promotes patriotism and the anti-orange principle.
In its spirit, the Young Guard organization is similar to the Ours movement. However, on the street, its members operate using more moderate methods. Moreover, if Nashi was created for the specific tasks of the Kremlin, which wants to prevent youth from participating in the opposition, then Young Guard is the youth organization of United Russia. It is on her interests and ideals that all her actions are guided. The task of the youth organization "United Russia" is to maintain it during the election campaign, as well as during the adoption of certain decisions within the walls of the State Duma.
Nationalist-racist organizations
Extremist youth organizations also operate in Russia. One of them is nationalist-racist associations. These primarily include skinhead movements. This is a radical youthful association whose history began in the late 60s of the 20th century in England. It was a community of working youth, whose representatives advocated the prohibition of the use of cheap labor of immigrants from third countries.
This movement came to Russia in the early 1990s. Moreover, it received its greatest distribution in the largest cities of the country, namely in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk, Tomsk and Voronezh, Vladivostok and Yaroslavl.
Translated from English, the word “skinhead” means “skinhead”. It is to this image that most members of this movement strive, leaving aside any political motives. Skinheads prefer the military style, acquiring military boots, camouflage, short bomber jackets and specific scarves.
Despite the fact that the "skinheads" do not have a single coordinating center, they cause concern by their merging with the criminal environment. The fact is that some of the leaders of skinhead groups have a criminal past and adhere to thieves' traditions.
There are several directions in this movement. However, the most dangerous of them are NS skinheads. The activities of these extremist youth organizations in modern Russia are characterized by extreme racism and anti-Semitism. Representatives of this movement oppose mixed marriages, immigration, and are outspoken xenophobes. Most often, African Americans and Jews, Gypsies and Chinese, Azerbaijanis, Armenians and Tajiks suffer from them. Often “skinheads” also attack homeless people.
Russian national unity
This political extremist organization is quite active in Russia. The goal of the RNE is to change the constitutional system of the country.
The revitalization of this large right-wing radical organization today is noted in a number of regions and cities of Russia. Representatives of RNU distribute materials that popularize the ideas of this party, urging young people to join it. In addition, in some regions, RNU supporters are carrying out work directly aimed at inciting ethnic hatred.
Informal associations
By the way young people spend time, such organizations are divided into sports and music fans, rockers, metalworkers, bikers, lovers, street racers, etc. All of them are united by the inability to find themselves in any more worthy occupation. By their social position, these organizations are one of the forms of political and social activity.
Very dangerous informal youth organizations in Russia are those founded by football fans. They harm society with their madness and complete desperation. Such youth organizations do not have a clear structure. As a rule, they include small groups, which are characterized by a constant change of leader.
There are also groups united in their way of life. These are “systemists” for whose members the main thing is their communication, as well as such declared values as love and peace. Their life is hidden from prying eyes.
Many consider members of such organizations to be loafers. After all, they do not have a permanent habitat, and they do not work, looking for buzz and drugs. However, this does not apply to all representatives of this movement. Some of them support the idea of wealth, have families and work. What unites them with each other is the search for ways of being that would not bring social upheaval, economic problems, and constant trouble.
