MOSCOW, October 26, 2007 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents information concerning the youth organizations and movements that the Russians are aware of, which of them they sympathize with, whether one should engage the youth in the political and social life of the country.

The majority of respondents, 75%, speak in favour of engaging the youth in participating in the political and social life of the country. This includes 42% of respondents who consider, that it is absolutely necessary to do so; an answer like that is most typical for respondents aged 45-59 (47 %), among the youth themselves only 39-40% identify that it is. In 2005 the majority of respondents assumed that is necessary to involve youth in politics, 82%, including 48% who were definitely for it.

The supporters of engaging the youth in politics believe that for this purpose it is first of all necessary to consider interests and problems of the youth in programs of political parties (59%), to create and strengthen youth organizations as part of the leading political parties (36%), to put the youth forward to occupy the leading roles in these parties, to give the youth itself an opportunity to create political associations according to their interests (25-27% for each option), to develop amateur public youth associations (17%). Only 17% and 14% of respondents mention the material incentive and a connection with career growth of the young people. The number of those who believes it most important to consider the interests of the youth in party programs has grown within the last two years (from 50% up to 59%), whereas the share of those who support the material aspect (from 23% down to 17%) and the career growth of the youth (from 18% to 14%) has in its turn declined.

Among respondents at the age of up to 30 years 4% already are members of political organizations. Another 5% think of entering a party in the near future. 21% of the youth are basically not against membership in a party, but do not see it as an immediate goal. Every second, 47%, does not wish to enter any party. And every fourth finds it difficult to provide an answer to this question. The distribution of answers to this question was practically the same two years ago.

In reply to the request to name the youth organizations and movements over half of Russians, 54%, admit that do not know any, another 22% find it difficult to provide an answer to this question or cannot remember the name. Furthermore, the general number of those who did not manage to name any youth organization or movement was same in 2005 (76%). Other respondents most often mentioned the movement "Nashi" (12 %), skinheads (4%), "Going Together", national-bolsheviks (Limonovcy) (3% each). "Zhirinovsky's Falcons", "Young guards of Unified Russia" (2% each). Other youth associations are specified by no more than 1% of respondents.

When choosing from a provided list of youth organizations, respondents also first of all identify, that they know of the existence of "Nashi" (20 %), national-bolsheviks, skinheads (16% each), "Zhirinovsky's Falcons" (12%). Two years ago "Zhirinovsky's Falcons" and the national patriotic organizations, such as skinheads, were less known to Russians (the popularity growth from about 8% up to 12% and from 12% up to 16% respectively), whereas the youth movement "Going together" used to be more known than it is now (decrease in popularity from 13% down to 9%).

The respondents most often sympathize with "Nashi" (9%), "Zhirinovsky's Falcons", "Going together" (3% each), Revolutionist Communist Youth Brigade, the youth branch of the Union of Right Forces (2% for each option). In 2005 "Nashi" also led the sympathy rating (10 %).

The created recently by a decree of the president the State committee on affairs of the youth of the Russian Federation will help to solve many problems of our youth, as 41% of respondents identify, the biggest number of optimists is among the youth of 18-24 years: 48%. 31% believe that this committee will not bring too much sense, 28% find it hard to provide estimation.

The initiative All-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM on October 6-7, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population areas of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.