On 19–21 September 2018, St.-Petersburg hosted the Second Eurasian Women’s Forum. The Forum brought together women representing more than 110 countries and leading global institutions. The topic of the Forum was «Women for Global Security and Sustainable Development.»

Deputy Chairperson of Vnesheconombank Irina Makieva took part in an open debate, «The Positive Energy of Young People», and a meeting of the International Debate Club «Female Governors: Strategy for Regional Performance and Growth.»

Ms Makieva shared her experience of using a comprehensive approach to social and economic objectives, in particular, providing women in Russian single-industry towns with additional opportunities for self-fulfilment. In the current global economic environment, municipalities compete with each other for talent. The more comfortable and interesting the urban life is, the more attractive is the municipality. Therefore, it is important not only to invest in new manufacturing facilities but also to create a comfortable urban environment and promote small and medium businesses, in particular, good corporate citizens.

The Integrated Development of Single-Industry Towns priority programme has already seen over 300 000 new jobs created and the Five Steps of Municipal Improvement programme implemented with almost 1200 projects delivered and management teams from all single-industry towns trained.

In Russia, the majority of single-industry town management teams are traditionally «male». Just a little over 10 percent of single-industry towns are governed by women. Notably, it is very often the women’s view of life that helps take a fresh look at the prospects for a given town, its improvement and social transformation.

Irina Makieva believes that in developing single-industry towns, special attention should be given to the youth. «Our young people are very active and, more importantly, can quickly adapt to changes. It is exactly the youth who possess new skills and create new professions. It is exactly the youth who will take decisions on the life in towns, cities, regions, and countries tomorrow. The earlier we engage teenagers and young people in public life, the more efficient will be the economic development of our territories.»

Kristina Kuznetsova, a teenage girl from the single-industry town of Leninsk-Kuznetsky (Kemerovo Region) took part in the Forum together with Irina Makieva.

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