Youth Day as part of the 11^th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum

40 talented young people from 15 countries were able to meet face-to-face with each other and with leading experts in the energy industry.

Septermber 13. First events of Youth Day: interactivity, team spirit, and fun

The first day of events, traditionally, is the most interactive, fun, and inspiring. Representatives of the project organizers and partners, sensing this mood, gathered at the Opening Ceremony. Elena Kasyan, Head of Department at PJSC Gazprom, Igor Maksimtsev, Rector of St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON) and Yana Klementovicius, Director of the Higher Economic School of UNECON welcomed the participants and partners.

At first a bit shy, but intrigued, the participants were quickly able to relax as the team-building exercise began. Divided into four groups, they had to work hard to form a team spirit and successfully perform tasks, such as: build with closed eyes an even square of long rope or cross the entire room, stepping only on sheets of paper, the number of which is limited. The strict, but at the same time motivating, referees were last year’s Youth Day participants. This year at the forum they represent a new international project Global Energy Community.

Having charged up with positivity and established mutual understanding, the teams were able to move on to the first competition. They had to go to an exhibition and ask representatives of companies about their projects aimed at sustainable energy development in the context of the climate and environmental agenda. They put together interesting and promising projects and presented them to the other participants. The teams evaluated each other and together were able to determine the winner.

September 14. The main competition of the Youth Day: time to display team spirit

The serious business program of the 11^th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum was broken up by emotions that run high at the Business Game “Climate Consciousness” as part of the Youth Day. Many representatives of partner companies, and just forum participants, looking into the room, admired the atmosphere of the event, where a mixture of competitive spirit, thought work, but also, of course, fun took place.

Five teams, five jury members and three moderators gathered to play an interactive board game. The teams represented energy companies. Each round, presented as an investment year, they rolled a die to get a project for implementation. Then they defended it to potential investors – the jury. After the second round, they also had to prepare and defend the final declaration, addressed to the financial community.

The jury did as much work as the participants to understand all the nuances of the game and give a fair assessment of all submitted works.

To temper emotions and take a break from brain activity, Youth Day participants went on a sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg.

September 15. A successful conclusion to Youth Day: debates, farewell speeches, and awards

The final day was equally eventful. Participants finally had free time to walk around the SPIGF-2022 exhibition and attend the plenary session.

Then the official closing and awarding ceremony was held. Sergey Khomyakov, Deputy Chairman of Management Committee of PJSC Gazprom and Chairman of the Youth Day Managing Committee, welcomed the participants, spoke about the history and practical importance of the project, and awarded this year’s six winners.

Former graduates of Youth Day and the founders of the Global Energy Community project also prepared a surprise for us. They organized a youth debate. Seven teams of participants defended different types of energy: nuclear, coal, oil, gas, wind, solar, and hydro. In pairs, the teams engaged in a debate about the importance of their energy for the energy transition, while others watched. At the end of the debate, observers voted “with their feet,” joining the winning team. As a result, nuclear energy won.

The evening and the entire Youth Day program ended with a farewell party on a boat that cruised along the rivers and canals of autumnal St. Petersburg.

The project was organized by the Higher School of Economics of UNECON in cooperation with Gazprom, the International Business Congress and EF International.