Two hundred and fifty young diplomats from 18 countries visited Artek to discuss problems concerning modern society and how to bring about peace in the world. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sent them a message of greetings. The Children – Ambassadors of  Peace thematic program is being implemented jointly with the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

“This legendary children’s camp has always been famed for its traditions of friendship. Today, contacts between coevals serve to maintain trust and mutual understanding on the world arena,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says in his address to the young diplomats. “We will continue to encourage ‘youth diplomacy’ efforts, which are an inalienable part of international humanitarian cooperation. I am confident that the ‘Artek child’ honorary title will be of great help to you in all your undertakings. I wish you great creative accomplishments, high emotions, a memorable vacation and all the best.”

The address was delivered by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation and Merited Worker of the Diplomatic Service Konstantin Mozel, a guest of honor at Artek. He talked to the children and noted the importance of implementing the program: “The International Children’s Center Artek enjoys worldwide renown, fame and prestige, and rightly so. Here, children communicate, get acquainted, start friendships, and these ties may last for quite a long time. I once came to Artek as an interpreter with a French delegation. This was a wonderful experience, after which I worked as a translator at the top level for six years. I wish that these children later make good use of the skills they will learn here. Children from different countries are aware that being friends is better than quarrelling, and this is one of Artek’s achievements.” He stressed that the motto “You always can do more” is “the slogan that our young friends should be guided by.”

The Children – Ambassadors of Peace program includes numerous educational events. Its participants have decided to devise a game for children from all the camps of the International Children’s Center. The Diplomatic Mission quest was held at the Artek School and Viner Park.

The quest is about diplomacy. The young ambassadors of peace shared the knowledge they had gained at Artek with their peers. Participants in the game learned more about international relations, history of contacts between countries, and much more. They also acquired new competences and skills.

“Our topic is environment and aid to Planet Earth. We explain how to avoid pollution and recycle plastic,” Nikita Zolotukhin of the Czech Republic says. “Thanks to this quest, children will get a lot of new and useful information. I am delighted that friendship and contacts is the main thing at Artek.”

Nikolai Meter from Germany presents a topic on effective communications: “We explain what it is all about and what rules should be observed, after which we organize a brief game. We are pleased to communicate with each other and I am confident that this will hit the target.”

“It was interesting to organize the quest for children. I am sure that we should try and make others interested and even make jokes, rather than just read out the text in a monotonous tone of voice,” Vasily Syomin of Moscow says. “The information we have unearthed will come in handy later. And, of course, it is very important that we socialize and make friends with children from other states, who have customs, interests and knowledge of their own. Contacts are what makes us human beings. I am sure that we will be in contact in the future.”

Participants in the quest were pleased to complete their assignments, absorbed new information and thanked the ambassadors for having organized such an interesting event.

“The quest was organized by Artek children; this helps to tap your potential and get to know others,” says Yulia Lysenko from Pangody in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area. “I liked the environmental topic most of all; they were speaking about the decomposition of plastic: I am very much concerned with this theme. While playing, I learned that there were people here from my native town and I rubbed shoulders with many children.”

Alina Mutuyeva from Makhachkala praised the topic on etiquette: “This information is important and it is good that our peers have given us the details. I made friends with many children, including from abroad. I think we will keep in contact and share our ideas.”

After the event, all children gathered in front of the school to take part in a flash mob. They formed a sign of infinity symbolizing the Infinite Aggregate shift.

There are plans for other interesting events as part of the thematic shift, including a summit of young ambassadors of peace and a UN Children’s Assembly