WEBVTT

1
00:00:01.140 --> 00:00:03.038
Good afternoon, friends.

2
00:00:03.038 --> 00:00:07.466
Today you are launching a major, truly landmark project,

3
00:00:07.466 --> 00:00:12.449
the online platforms of the revived society Znanie (Knowledge).

4
00:00:12.449 --> 00:00:17.371
The society was a flagship of public enlightenment and education 

5
00:00:17.371 --> 00:00:20.097
for decades and played an important,

6
00:00:20.097 --> 00:00:24.068
in many respects unique role in the lives of several generations of our 

7
00:00:24.068 --> 00:00:29.175
country’s citizens. Its widely available public lecture programmes 

8
00:00:29.175 --> 00:00:34.587
enabled people in the most remote corners of the Soviet Union to learn 

9
00:00:34.587 --> 00:00:39.291
about the history, recent achievements and prospects of domestic 

10
00:00:39.291 --> 00:00:43.488
and international science, culture, politics and industry.

11
00:00:43.488 --> 00:00:48.843
Let me remind you that Znanie Society was established in 1947,

12
00:00:48.843 --> 00:00:52.930
immediately after the Great Patriotic War.

13
00:00:52.930 --> 00:00:56.590
The country was then returning to normal life,

14
00:00:56.590 --> 00:01:00.807
rebuilding its destroyed economy, which needed young,

15
00:01:00.807 --> 00:01:04.886
purposeful and educated people in every sector.

16
00:01:04.886 --> 00:01:09.581
Znanie Society then undertook a huge and challenging educational 

17
00:01:09.581 --> 00:01:13.919
mission. It provided guidance to young people and adolescents 

18
00:01:13.919 --> 00:01:16.478
in choosing their path in life,

19
00:01:16.478 --> 00:01:19.186
and made knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge 

20
00:01:19.186 --> 00:01:21.278
a recognised value in society.

21
00:01:21.278 --> 00:01:25.700
It actually educated thousands of brilliant scientists, researchers,

22
00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:29.472
engineers and workers, who ensured Russia’s technological 

23
00:01:29.472 --> 00:01:33.388
and scientific leadership, including in such areas 

24
00:01:33.388 --> 00:01:36.428
as the peaceful atom and space.

25
00:01:36.428 --> 00:01:41.375
Today we are facing tasks on a comparable scale due to the new 

26
00:01:41.375 --> 00:01:45.066
technological order and the digital revolution,

27
00:01:45.066 --> 00:01:49.778
the emergence of online reality and artificial intelligence,

28
00:01:49.778 --> 00:01:53.607
and also due to rapid changes in the world around us,

29
00:01:53.607 --> 00:01:58.158
which force us to study and learn faster because it is crucial 

30
00:01:58.158 --> 00:02:02.998
for being successful and competitive, individually and as a nation.

31
00:02:02.998 --> 00:02:07.486
Knowledge should once again become one of the most important values 

32
00:02:07.486 --> 00:02:10.654
in society, should be attractive and accessible,

33
00:02:10.654 --> 00:02:14.285
and this is the key goal of the revived Znanie Society.

34
00:02:14.285 --> 00:02:19.585
The new society has to cater to all ages and a variety of interests,

35
00:02:19.585 --> 00:02:25.197
to promote up-to-date information in all spheres of life in the country 

36
00:02:25.197 --> 00:02:29.952
and around the world, to showcase success stories of doctors 

37
00:02:29.952 --> 00:02:33.054
and military members, teachers and business leaders,

38
00:02:33.054 --> 00:02:36.694
civil servants and athletes, scientists and cultural figures.

39
00:02:36.694 --> 00:02:39.212
And here I would like to emphasise that,

40
00:02:39.212 --> 00:02:42.485
for all the colossal resources of modern technology,

41
00:02:42.485 --> 00:02:45.318
nothing can replace person-to-person contact,

42
00:02:45.318 --> 00:02:49.785
and mentoring has always been and remains the most effective tool 

43
00:02:49.785 --> 00:02:52.357
for transferring knowledge and skills.

44
00:02:52.357 --> 00:02:57.795
In this regard, it is fundamentally important that the society’s 

45
00:02:57.795 --> 00:03:01.643
programmes are not limited to leading experts;

46
00:03:01.643 --> 00:03:06.346
leaders and senior officials at state agencies and large companies,

47
00:03:06.346 --> 00:03:10.066
renowned figures in science and art should regularly 

48
00:03:10.066 --> 00:03:12.172
participate in its programmes.

49
00:03:12.172 --> 00:03:18.073
With their experience, they would become role models for everything we 

50
00:03:18.073 --> 00:03:20.899
would like our young people to be,

51
00:03:20.899 --> 00:03:24.655
the best motivation for them to learn, grow,

52
00:03:24.655 --> 00:03:28.603
broaden their horizons and form their civic position,

53
00:03:28.603 --> 00:03:32.352
realise themselves, their ideas and plans.

54
00:03:32.352 --> 00:03:37.130
Russia is a country of unique opportunities for an active and talented 

55
00:03:37.130 --> 00:03:40.385
person, and you – each and every one of you –

56
00:03:40.385 --> 00:03:42.507
are undoubtedly talented.

57
00:03:42.507 --> 00:03:46.595
All you need to do is to uncover your talent,

58
00:03:46.595 --> 00:03:50.573
find your strengths and start acting, moving forward.

59
00:03:50.573 --> 00:03:55.729
I am sure that Znanie Society will help you find yourself,

60
00:03:55.729 --> 00:04:01.538
embark on your path towards success in your studies, work,

61
00:04:01.538 --> 00:04:04.674
life, and in all good deeds.

62
00:04:04.674 --> 00:04:06.339
Good luck, everyone.