Youth Academy has welcomed a new International Affairs Manager, Svetlana Tchistiakova. She has more than 12 years of professional experience in the youth and NGO sectors, as well as in working with immigrants.
Before joining Youth Academy, Svetlana worked at VVK ry (Vantaan Venäläinen Klubi / Vantaa Russian Club), where her responsibilities included developing the organisation’s international activities. In her new role, she hopes to draw on her previous experience and bring new perspectives to Youth Academy’s international work.
“I hope to make use of my previous experience and bring new ideas to Nuorten Akatemia’s international activities. At the same time, I look forward to learning new things and working with new colleagues.”
Svetlana Tchistiakova, International Affairs Manager
Svetlana’s work currently focuses on developing and planning new international projects and exploring opportunities for cooperation. She is particularly interested in Erasmus+, CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) and other international programmes that provide opportunities to collaborate with organisations in different countries and develop new approaches to strengthening youth participation.
Youth participation is important to Svetlana because having opportunities to influence matters that affect them strengthens young people’s motivation and their sense of being heard. She believes that young people bring fresh perspectives and new solutions to society, which is why it is important to give space to their thoughts and ideas.
“Young people have always driven society forward, which is why we need to give space to their thoughts and ideas.”
Outside work, Svetlana enjoys music and spending time in nature. She plays acoustic guitar in a band and enjoys swimming and cold-water swimming throughout the year, including in winter.
Welcome to Youth Academy, Svetlana!
More information:
Svetlana Tchistiakova
International Affairs Manager
svetlana.tchistiakova@nuortenakatemia.fi