Participants in the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program spoke at the panel session of the "GosStart" forum.

      November 14, 2025, 11:32 Society

      Participants of the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program spoke at a panel session of the fourth All-Russian Forum of Young State and Municipal Employees "GosStart" (12+) on the "Rosmolodezh.Forums" platform, which is taking place from November 11 to 13 in Nizhny Novgorod.

      On November 12, a panel discussion titled "Serving the Fatherland" was held at the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. The speakers were Captain 2nd Rank, recipient of the Order of Courage and the Order "For Naval Merit," participant of the first cohort of the presidential program "Time of Heroes" Konstantin Aksenov; participant in the special military operation (SMO), combat veteran, participant of the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program, chief specialist of the coordination center for supporting servicemen and their families at the ANO "House of National Unity" Vladimir Petrukhov; SMO veteran and participant of the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program Ildus Mustafin; SMO veteran and participant of the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program, advisor to the rector of Nizhny Novgorod State University named after Lobachevsky and head of the Nizhny Novgorod regional branch of "Young Guard" Roman Zykov; and deputy head of the Federation of Military-Tactical Games Valery Yakovlev.

      During the discussion, the speakers shared with state and municipal employees their views on how to motivate the younger generation to consciously serve the country, which values and meanings underlie service, how to support those who have already chosen this path, and how to improve the system for engaging youth in public service.

      According to Konstantin Aksenov, he is ready to share his experience with young people for the good of the Motherland.

      "Russia is truly a land of opportunity. All the conditions have now been created here so that anyone who wants to serve the country can acquire new, in-demand competencies, including opportunities for SMO veterans. The experience gained during military service helps in later life and work, and it must be shared with the younger generation," Konstantin Aksenov emphasized.

      Vladimir Petrukhov noted that combat experience helps him develop in the direction of service — now in the civilian sphere.

      "The opportunities to develop in state and municipal service are now greater than ever. Huge efforts are being made today to develop these competencies. Learning them within the 'Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region' program is helped, among other things, by my experience participating in combat operations in the special military operation zone. It taught me an important lesson — the lesson of making decisions based on the principle of justice," Vladimir Petrukhov stressed.

      At the end of the meeting, the speakers were asked to say what is the main value of serving the Fatherland for them. The answers moved the audience — love for the Motherland, concern for the future, responsibility. According to the forum participants, the discussion became a powerful source of motivation for them.

      Recall that the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program is aimed at integrating and employing participants and veterans of the special military operation into the system of public administration. In March 2025, an agreement was signed between the government of Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) and KUPNO on cooperation in implementing this program.

      Registration for participation in the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program closed on March 31. During the selection campaign, 1,613 applications were received from Nizhny Novgorod residents.

      Based on scores from questionnaires, testing, online interviews and assessments, as well as the results of in-person interviews with the Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Andrey Gneushev, 60 participants were selected for the main educational program and 30 people were chosen for inclusion in the next cohort upon returning to the region.

      On August 4, 2025, the official opening of training under the "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" program took place; the ceremony was attended by the Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin. Sixty people selected for the educational program began their studies.

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