"Into the academic year with a kind heart": the volunteer programme resumes at the National Centre RUSSIA

With the start of the academic year, the volunteer programme co-run with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia is resuming at the National Centre RUSSIA. Volunteers from universities in the Moscow region will help visitors to expositions and events spend their time as comfortably as possible in the Centre’s space. Applications to join the programme are submitted by higher education institutions, while during the holidays any volunteer may join the programme independently.

The volunteer programme of the National Centre RUSSIA has been operating since the very first day of its opening. Over this time, more than 1,400 volunteers have joined it. Over one thousand of them are students from 24 universities in the Moscow region. A further 400 volunteers took part through an "open call", assisting guests of the National Centre RUSSIA during the New Year and May holidays, as well as throughout the summer season.

Volunteers at the National Centre RUSSIA help take memorable photographs, find the right event or their seat in the auditorium, assist doctors by rapidly reporting any deterioration in visitors' health, and provide services for the media. They also support the organisation of large-scale events. Volunteers made their contribution to the II All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts", the International Symposium "Inventing the Future", the XXII Congress of the United Russia party, and many other events. A volunteer of the National Centre RUSSIA is someone who brings warm emotions and impressions to every guest visiting the Centre.

In the new academic year, the programme will be launched by students of the Russian State University of Tourism and Service (RGUTIS/RSUTS), the Russian State Social University (RSSU), and the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH). Before starting their shifts, students undergo training, and the most significant helpers, based on several months of service, are recognised at a special appreciation ceremony held within the National Centre RUSSIA. Many participants return to the Centre again, because helping here is not only about volunteering — it is also about discovering one’s own country.

"Last year my shifts were exciting: I helped seat guests in the hall and informed them about ongoing events. This year I decided to try myself as a media volunteer. Starting the academic year at the National Centre RUSSIA is a unique opportunity to immerse myself in student life, learn more about my country, and get energised for the whole year!" said Khristina Lambrianidis, a third-year RGUTIS student majoring in Tourism.

Some participants, while helping, also develop their professional skills — for example, Alina Yelagina from RGUTIS. In the very first week of the academic year, Alina will begin helping as a volunteer with the press service, hoping to develop media-content production skills together with mentors — professional journalists of the National Centre RUSSIA.

Volunteers are an integral part of the National Centre RUSSIA — its driving force. They help at events, organise activities within the Centre’s space, and do everything possible to make every guest’s visit comfortable and memorable.