On March 16, 2018 Artek held the Children’s Referendum on the day of the historic vote by Crimea residents in favor of rejoining Russia. The issue put to the vote was declaring 2020 the Year of Children’s Diplomacy in Russia. Over 3,000 youngsters from all over Russia staying at Artek conveyed via the referendum their idea of the role youth should play in international relations in the 21st century. Also, 250 schoolchildren from the Republic of Bashkortostan who, on the initiative of the Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, are spending their holidays in Yevpatoria also took part in the referendum and were Artek guests on this day.
The Children’s Referendum is an annual event that Artek traditionally holds to mark the 2014 vote in Crimea in favor of rejoining Russia.
“Artek has built up quite a few traditions over 94 years,” said Konstantin Fedorenko, Acting Director of Artek. “We’ll continue both the existing and the new traditions that emerge at Artek every year. The referendum allows youngsters to make their choice even at this tender age. The subject of children’s diplomacy is closely associated with Artek: just remember Samantha Smith, Katya Lycheva or Eric Bern – children who were ambassadors of peace. It’s only logical that Artek comes up with the initiative to hold the Year of Children’s Diplomacy.”
According to Konstantin Fedorenko, Artek has received about 4,000 youngsters from 82 countries in the previous five years alone. “We’ve set ourselves the extremely ambitious task of receiving about 2,000 youngsters from 77 countries this year,” Fedorenko said. “It is important to show young people in Russia and elsewhere that Artek is open to them. Borders are conventional and Artek is a land of childhood without borders.”
Not only does the referendum at Artek serve as a reminder of a historic event but it is also a school of civic awareness where students are taught basic democratic procedures. It was organized in full compliance with voting procedure requirements: voting ballots had been printed and information stands, voting booths and ballot-boxes installed. Young people from Kiparisny, Lazurny, Morskoi, Khrustalny, Yantarny, Ozyorny, Rechnoi, Polevoi and Lesnoi camps voted at four polling stations (at Morskoi and Polevoi camps, Belaya Dacha and Artek school).
According to exit polls, the majority of youngsters have supported the idea of declaring 2020 the Year of Children’s Diplomacy in Russia.
“I believe the very notion of children’s diplomacy is very important,” said Polina Usyakova from Bryansk. “In the 21st century, children from various countries, familiarizing one another with their traditions and views, can draw people around the world closer together. Artek is a symbol of youth, consolidation, laughter, playing games and happiness. It is quite clear that Artek is a children’s diplomacy center.”
“This was the first time that I took part in a referendum and I felt I was responsible for the choice I made,” said Yegor Romanov from the Saratov Region. “Children’s diplomacy is a great thing. I believe children can also make decisions on major international or environmental issues and, most importantly, on ways to foster friendship. Artek can be a children’s diplomacy center because young people from many cities in our country, as well as other countries, meet here.”
“It is very important to any person that other people can hear and understand what he or she is saying,” said Ksenia Sobinkova from Kaluga. “It’s always important to have your voice heard. Diplomacy means that not only adults but young people too can make decisions. We are able to help our countries avoid war in the future. When you meet a young person from another country, who speaks a different language, you shouldn’t call him or her names and say: ‘I won’t be friends with you because you have a different skin color.’ All people are equal. Artek is an international center, where a lot of different youngsters stay and they make friends. They show that they can be friends and live peacefully without war.”
Those who took part in the Children’s Referendum also visited the exhibition entitled Crimean Spring to see photos of the 2014 March events that decided Crimea’s fate. The photos on display were taken by popular Crimean news photographer Arvidas Shemetas.
The returning board made up of youngsters and camp counselors will count the votes and record the referendum results that will be announced at Artek Arena on March 18 during the opening ceremony for the Crimea: The Place Where Times Meet session. After that, an appeal will be made to the Russian President.