The President of Russia met volunteers and NGO leaders at the National Centre RUSSIA

The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, met with representatives of the volunteer movement, NGO leaders and public figures on the sidelines of the International Forum of Civil Participation ahead of the award ceremony of the International Prize #WEARETOGETHER at the National Centre RUSSIA. The President’s meeting with volunteers has become an annual tradition that highlights the contribution of volunteers and the support of their initiatives.

"I embrace all of you. Congratulations on today’s events — today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities — and on Volunteer Day on 5 December — your organisation is marking its fifth anniversary. All of you, I know, are working very actively in these two areas. In fact, they are intrinsically linked and complement each other. I know how much you are doing. Thank you very much. Both areas attract great interest from our friends in many countries. What unites everyone here is a shared desire to help others. It is a heartfelt impulse that truly brings people together — this is wonderful. And it brings a positive result that matters to you. I am sure this is important both for you and for those you strive to help and support. So thank you very much," said the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

During the meeting, volunteers’ initiatives involved in humanitarian missions in border regions, historic areas and the special military operation zone, as well as initiatives of the finalists of the International Prize #WEARETOGETHER, were discussed. Alexei Zarov, Chief Physician of the St Alexius Hospital of the Metropolitan of Moscow, Honorary Citizen of Gorlovka and winner of the #WEARETOGETHER Prize 2024, said that as a result of his project, two mobile medical complexes had been opened in Mariupol and Severodonetsk, and sisters of mercy had evacuated 800 people. He proposed developing a palliative care system in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

"We train nurses at the hospital’s training centre. There are many willing to join — ‘students’ wait two to three months for their turn. We are also expanding geographically — we now have 87 sites across Russia. We would like to establish a permanent palliative care service there and, together with the Ministry of Healthcare, develop a programme enabling our sisters of mercy to support terminally ill residents of Donbass," said Alexei Zarov.

 Last year, the President of Russia supported the volunteer initiative to establish the DOBRO International Association. The founding congress took place during the Fifth International Forum of Civil Participation #WEARETOGETHER. Alexei Talai, Director of a charitable foundation and a Group I disabled person from the Republic of Belarus, emphasised the importance of expanding the humanitarian programme "Mission Dobro" ("Mission Kindness") based on the Association.

"Not long ago, we had a humanitarian mission in Belarus under the 'Mission Dobro' programme. Russian restorers came to us and helped restore the Brest Fortress. It is important to expand this programme, and within the framework of the planned International Association DOBRO provide specialised training, including language study and international assistance standards," said Alexei Talai.

Anastasia Kholomeyeva, President of the charitable foundation "Human Footprints" and prize-winner of the #WEARETOGETHER Prize 2023, addressed the President with a request to create a unified mechanism regulating volunteer participation during emergencies.

"It would be good to have a single, clear algorithm — both at the federal and regional levels — explaining how volunteers should work in such circumstances. And since emergency response is dangerous and requires protective equipment and knowledge, it would be good for new volunteers to receive at least basic instruction from experienced specialists from regional branches of the Ministry of Emergency Situations," emphasised Anastasia Kholomeyeva.

Volunteers also reported on the results of their projects to the President: Roman Shpakov, volunteer of the #WEARETOGETHER headquarters and Press Secretary of the Resource Centre for Volunteer Support of the Donetsk People’s Republic, and SMO veteran; Yelizaveta Vorobyeva, daughter of an SMO serviceman and author of the social project Family Volunteering School — "Strength in Family" and participant of the Dobrino Academy programme; and Artyom Samuylov, author of the project "Friends Are Chosen".

Other participants of the meeting included the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Grigory Gurov; the Development Director of the International Interregional Public Organisation "Inclusive Resource Centre" and author of the project "Re:formation of Opportunities", Alexei Trantsev; the Director of the ANO — Centre for the Development of Social and Educational Projects "Aura" and author of the project "Journeys of Dreams", Svetlana Nigmatullina; adaptive clothing designer and winner of the #WEARETOGETHER Prize 2024, Polina Solodova; activist of the Timur Movement of the Kursk region, Alexander Terekhov; author of a rehabilitation project for veterans and prize-winner of the #WEARETOGETHER Prize 2024, Director of the ANO for the Implementation of Social Projects "VELIKAYA DERZHAVA" ("Great Power"), Alexander Uchar, who is also a project coordinator at the ANO "OBSCHEYE DELO" ("Common Cause"); and ambassador of the International Prize #WEARETOGETHER in India, Head of the BRICS Youth Council and Director of the Elexir Foundation, Madish Parikh.

The general partner of the Forum is Alfa-Bank JSC. The strategic partner of the Forum is Rosatom State Corporation. The International Forum of Civil Participation #WEARETOGETHER is organised by Rosmolodezh together with the Dobro.rf Association.