A Russian-Kyrgyz seminar on volunteering and social development opened at KRSU

The opening of the Russian-Kyrgyz seminar «Volunteering and social development: new opportunities for the Kyrgyz Republic» took place at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.The event is aimed at strengthening Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation in the field of volunteerism, exchanging successful practices and developing partnerships between educational organizations, the non-profit sector, business and social development institutions of the two countries.In total, more than 100 people take part in the seminar. Among them are representatives of the ecosystem «Dobro.RF», the Academy «Dobrino», Rossotrudnichestvo, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kyrgyz Republic, ANO «Eurasia», Rosatom Kyrgyzstan, the university community, non-profit organizations, business, volunteers and youth leaders. Students and employees of KRSU, MU «Ala-Too», KSU named after I. joined the seminar. Arabaev, Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, BSU, KSTU named after I. Razzakova, KAI, KSMA and other educational organizations.First Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kyrgyz Republic Alexey Poida addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He emphasized that volunteering plays an important role in involving young people in socially significant initiatives and preserving historical memory.«Recently in May we unveiled a monument to Ivan Vasilyevich Panfilov, and students of KRSU took part in this work, who on their day off arrived 80 kilometers from Bishkek and invested their strength and soul in the improvement of the historical monument. It is remarkable that local residents and children did not just observe, but also became participants in the process. Through joint efforts, we managed to do an important thing that will serve to preserve historical memory», — noted Alexey Poida.Stanislav Kulikov, Vice-Rector for Youth and Information Policy at KRSU, noted that volunteering is one of the actively developing study programs youth policy of the university.«The most important thing is that young people who participate in such projects understand: good deeds are done for society. It is important to put into our students an understanding that goodness — is a value that unites people and helps develop the university, city and country», — emphasized Stanislav Kulikov.The head of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in the Kyrgyz Republic, Albert Zulkharneev, noted that volunteering is not only a modern public practice, but also an important part of the culture of mutual assistance.«Russia has created a strong infrastructure for volunteers — from the Dobro.Centers network to legal and organizational support mechanisms. This experience is in demand today by many countries, because volunteering helps people feel involved in a big cause and be useful to society», — said Albert Zulharneev.The head of the department for work with priority countries of the Dobro.rf Association, Artyom Vlasko, spoke about the international experience in the development of volunteerism and the Association’s projects.According to him, since 2017, the Dobro.rf Association has been developing cooperation with the non-profit sector of different countries, and since 2022, together with Rosmolodezh, it has been implementing the international track of the #MEET award. If in 2021 applications were received from 59 countries, then in 2022 — from 85 countries, in 2023 — from 95 countries.Project Manager of the Academy «Dobrino» Marina Dmitrieva noted that the main task of such meetings is not only the exchange of experience, but also the formation of personal motivation to participate in volunteer initiatives.«I would really like to see the participants have a genuine desire to be helpful, to help and to feel involved after today's workshop. Russia and Kyrgyzstan have deep traditions of solidarity and good neighborliness, and I hope that the ideas that will be born today will be embodied in real projects», — said Marina Dmitrieva.After the grand opening, a plenary session took place «Volunteering and an active civil society — common values of the two states». Stanislav Kulikov acted as moderator.During the plenary session, participants discussed the development of the volunteer movement in Russia and Kyrgyzstan, the role of universities in creating a culture of volunteering, support for youth initiatives, business participation in social projects and opportunities for international cooperation.The head of Rosatom Kyrgyzstan, Dmitry Konstantinov, spoke about the company’s work with students and youth, noting that personnel training and interaction with universities are one of the key study programs activities of Rosatom.«We pay great attention to programs for interaction with youth and universities. Student training must begin in advance, because high-tech industries require specialists who are ready to develop today», — noted Dmitry Konstantinov.Director of the RUDN Volunteer Center Daria Varnavskaya presented the experience of one of the largest international university volunteer associations. She said that representatives from 162 countries study at RUDN University, and volunteers from 80 countries participate in the university’s volunteer projects.The seminar also includes thematic platforms dedicated to social initiatives, the development of youth volunteering, project activities and the formation of partnership solutions between organizations in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.Based on the results of the seminar, the participants plan to formulate proposals for the further development of Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation in the field of volunteerism, social design and youth policy.