J8 it is an analogue of G8, the Group of Seven, where heads of major nations discuss current issues. Participants of J8 also discuss current issues later to share their opinions with the world leaders.

In Russia, each year all candidates are traditionally selected from one region. Last year it was high-school students from Siberia.

Candidates for J8 pass a few stages of selection.

The first stage was back in December. The candidates were asked to write an essay in both Russian and English on the following topics: economic crisis, global warming, food security, education, health care, tolerance, geopolitics of Russia and Ural.

80 winners of the first stage gathered together in Ekaterinburg to take part in the second, final, stage of the competition. Experts selected eight high school students who can lead a discussion easily, stand for their principles, and speak fluent English.

In summer 2011, they will go to Paris to take part in international negotiations.

Photo: Tatyana Andreeva