The 2nd International Symposium "Creating the Future" is taking place at the National Center "Russia" in Moscow from October 7th to 8th. This large-scale event brought together over 7,000 participants from nearly 80 countries, including politicians, scientists, architects, designers, and artists. The symposium, held under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Ministry of Culture, features approximately 50 different events, including panel discussions, lectures, strategic sessions, project workshops, and master classes.
During the plenary discussion "Social Design," Governor Andrei Chibis presented the region"s unique experience in implementing the comprehensive development plan "Live in the North!"
"The "Live in the North!" plan was a response to the systemic challenges facing our region: population outflow, the need to create modern social infrastructure, and improve quality of life in Arctic conditions. And the main result, our truly significant victory, is that for the first time since 1989, during Soviet times, in 2023, more people came to us than left," the governor emphasized in opening his speech.
Andrey Chibis also described how the plan"s idea was born and shared the story of its creation.
"In 2019, a popular slogan among local youth was, "The last one to leave Murmansk, turn off the lights at the airport." It became clear that young people saw no future or prospects in the Murmansk region. This gloomy attitude, contrasting with the sincere love of older generations for their region, became the starting point for a powerful positive response. Thus was born the life-affirming motto, "Live in the North!", which, contrary to initial expectations, not only became trendy but also grew into a true phenomenon—a recognizable brand with its own history, merchandise, and sweatshirts, firmly entrenched in the lives of both northerners and visitors to the Kola Peninsula," noted the head of the Murmansk region.
The governor said that an important step was transforming the idea into a concrete plan.
"This motto has been transformed into a clear, transparent document—the "Live in the North!" plan, which we update based on suggestions from Murmansk Oblast residents themselves approximately every two years. These are the priorities that the regional government team and I are working towards and reporting on regularly," said Andrey Chibis.
The regional governor also emphasized the importance of federal recognition. For example, the International Arctic Forum held in March of this year, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was held under the motto "Live in the North!"
"That is, our motto has reached beyond the Kola Arctic and truly resonates emotionally. The key to the implementation of our plan is that the Murmansk Region is now setting the tone for dynamic and progressive development for all Arctic regions. And this is confirmed by the most objective measure—for the first time since 1989, we are seeing not an outflow, but a steady influx of population. This result, reinforced by economic growth, the creation of new jobs, and the President"s high praise, is priceless. People are now proud to live in the North. But, of course, it"s especially rewarding when you meet people across the country wearing T-shirts and sweatshirts with our motto. This means they feel a sense of belonging to a major, extremely important undertaking for Russia—the development of the Arctic. And this is our most significant and meaningful victory," concluded Andrey Chibis.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /
