Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On October 21, 2025, the Scientific Library of the State University of Management hosted a master lecture by Grigory Gurov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), Associate Professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration at the State University of Management.
Before the main part of the event, Anna Khaustova, program director of the Boiling Point at the State University of Management, introduced students to the results of a study conducted by the Center for Sociological Research "14-35" on the perception of spiritual and moral values among young people.
The lecturer was introduced by Sergei Chuev, Advisor to the Rector's Office and Head of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration at the State University of Management, who also noted that many of the Rosmolodezh leadership are graduates or employees of our university.
At the beginning of the meeting, Grigory Gurov briefly spoke about his family, university life, and his entry into youth politics.
"For me, working in youth policy is a matter of personal choice. If you want to do something, do it yourself, don't look for someone else to blame for the problem. Youth policy allows you to try out different roles and choose your future profession," the head of Rosmolodezh shared his opinion.
In his presentation, the speaker described the work of the federal agency he heads, which, despite its significant government status, must also be attractive to all categories of young people. Grigory Gurov focused on the national project "Youth and Children," the "Region for Young People" program, and grant support opportunities for student initiatives.
Before beginning his dialogue with the audience, the lecturer was presented with an album of his student photographs and a newspaper article from 2007. In answering questions, Grigory Gurov, in his characteristic manner, was extremely frank, speaking simply and fluently, in the same language as the students.
Please give three pieces of advice to students who want to work as civil servants.
"I didn't want that from the start. I've always been an ordinary person, simply resolving issues as they arose. And I still want to be perceived fairly, even if I arrive at the ministry not in a black car, but on a scooter. I don't like the Byzantine tradition of sanctifying power. But I'm not criticizing this attitude; it has its right to exist, it's just not my thing. So if I had to single out three essential qualities for a civil servant, I would say responsibility, service, and simplicity."
What are the deciding criteria for grant application approval?
"It's always a combination of factors. First and foremost, you need to understand whether the applicant understands the issue, has their own understanding, and genuine interest. This is immediately noticeable, so a grant may be awarded to someone who didn't initially fill out the best application but is genuinely interested in their project. Honesty is everything."
How did you present your student activism experience during interviews?
"To be honest, I wasn't an activist. And I wasn't the best student, which isn't something I'd say in this room. And I've never been to a standard interview where you walk in off the street to an unfamiliar company. I was helped by the horizontal connections I'd developed while participating in youth policy projects. This isn't nepotism; what's most important here is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of those you've previously collaborated with on projects."
Why doesn't the government pay enough attention to the psychological well-being of young people? And does Rosmolodezh have any psychological support programs?
"I think this is very important, and besides, my wife is a psychologist. And Rosmolodezh used to have a full-time specialist. But it's difficult for state institutions to quickly adapt to new trends; there are certain limitations, so first we need to develop appropriate formats and establish a documentary basis. At the same time, we shouldn't think of a psychologist as a panacea. These days, it's sometimes just a fashionable pastime. We need to learn self-analysis and learn how to strengthen ourselves from within."
What are the main goals of Rosmolodezh today?
"First and foremost, this is the implementation of the 'Youth and Children' project. Another important goal is increasing the proportion of people who believe in the possibilities of self-fulfillment in Russia. And great efforts are being made to attract troubled teenagers into our orbit."
How to get an internship at Rosmolodezh?
"It's very simple – just submit an official request. We usually don't refuse."
Can you say that you found yourself in youth politics?
"As a doubter, I can't say that. Maybe I can do something just as good in my life."
At the end of the meeting, the head of Rosmolodezh signed a book for the SUM Scientific Library and, on a simple piece of paper, provided contact information for the student who had not hesitated to ask about the internship.
We thank Grigory Gurov for the engaging conversation and encourage our students to embrace the many opportunities offered by the diverse extracurricular activities at SUM.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 22, 2025.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
