The Regional Public Organization “International Women’s Union” ( “IWU”) announces a strategic personnel decision aimed at strengthening work with youth and the educational community. The President of the organization, Alfiya Ravilyevna Amirova, has signed an order appointing Irina Viktorovna Khamdokhova as the Head of the Department of International Academic Partnerships for a term of one year.
The appointment of Irina Khamdokhova marks a new stage in the development of public diplomacy under the auspices of the Women’s Union. In her new role, she will oversee the establishment of sustainable connections between schools, universities, children’s camps, and centers in Russia and foreign countries. The head’s area of responsibility will cover interaction with educational institutions, as well as international and youth policy.
The primary task now facing Irina Khamdokhova is the unification of educational platforms into a single international network to raise a new generation of leaders. These leaders must be capable of building a multipolar world based on traditional values, openness, and mutual respect. To achieve this, it is planned to establish direct contacts between educational institutions, organize joint projects, and integrate schoolchildren and students into the processes of international public diplomacy.
The choice of candidate is conditioned by the rich professional background of Irina Khamdokhova herself. She is an active member of the Community of Wives of Russian Diplomats, whose representatives are currently located in more than 60 countries around the world. The new leader boasts many years of experience participating in forums, round tables, and conferences, as well as conducting landmark video bridges known far beyond their homeland:
- “Friendship Without Borders”;
- “To Be Friends the Russian Way”;
- “Victory Through Native Eyes”.
A significant place in her activities has always been occupied by the patriotic education of the younger generation, the preservation of historical memory, and work with compatriots abroad, Russian Houses, and embassy schools. A separate direction of her work involves supporting participants of the Special Military Operation (SMO). For engaging military personnel in projects, organizing children writing letters to the front lines, and providing versatile assistance to soldiers, Irina Khamdokhova was awarded the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation medal “For Help and Mercy” and a personalized knife for a warrior of the “Steel Brigade” from the Federal National Guard Service of the Russian Federation.
The plans of the new leader include systematic work that will cover a wide audience: from schoolchildren to university students. Irina Khamdokhova already shares her vision of “people’s diplomacy,” where children and youth become the main actors, building friendly ties above geopolitical barriers.
The nearest major platform for presenting new projects will be the V Anniversary International Forum “Woman of the Third Millennium,” which will take place in Moscow on November 18–19, 2026. It is worth noting that the activity of the International Women’s Union is traditionally aimed at strengthening international dialogue. As noted by the President of the organization, Alfiya Amirova, women’s public diplomacy serves as a bridge of mutual understanding between nations, paving paths where official channels may face difficulties.
An important instrument of this mission will be existing initiatives that Irina Khamdokhova will continue to supervise within the framework of the international multicultural foresight initiative “World in the Dialogue of Cultures” of the Moscow Regional Branch of the MOD “Synergy of Talents”:
- “Dialogue with Pushkin” — an international communicative platform for studying the Russian language and literature with the support of the “Russian World” Foundation. The project received high acclaim from the cultural community: its honorary guest became a descendant of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin — Baron Serge Alexandrovich Grevenitz. Within the framework of the platform, a textbook for Russian schools is being published, the third volume of which is planned to be distributed worldwide.
- “Pushkin-ARtek” — an international festival dedicated to the 225th anniversary of the birth of A.S. Pushkin. Jointly with the IAC “Artek,” it offers unique motivation: 100 winners receive vouchers for a thematic educational session at the country’s most prestigious children’s center.
- “Christmas Tree of Peace and Friendship” — a heartwarming contest whose best ornaments are installed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. In 2025, one of the nominations became “Diplomat — Guardian of Peace,” which allowed combining the New Year tradition with popularizing the peacekeeping mission of Russian diplomats. Over several years, this tree has become a recognizable symbol of people’s diplomacy, and the toys of finalists were exhibited in the State Duma.
- “Diplomat — Guardian of Peace” — an international creative action and youth movement on the Day of the Diplomatic Worker. In 2026, it was decided to transform it into a full-fledged international movement so that children learn through creativity that diplomacy is primarily the art of preserving peace.
The staff of the RPO “International Women’s Union” warmly congratulates Irina Viktorovna on this important appointment! We are confident that your colossal experience, sincere dedication to the cause, and inexhaustible energy will open new horizons for the development of youth policy. We wish you successful implementation of all outlined plans, inspiration in your work, reliable partners, and great victories for the benefit of strengthening the position of Russian culture on the global arena as part of our friendly team!
Let us recall that Irina Khamdokhova is the head of the “Children’s Diplomacy” project and curator of the international direction, whose motto states: “Children save the world — not loud words. When a child from Russia writes a letter to a peer from Syria or Palestine, fear fades away and empathy is born”.