Today was the opening by EXPOFORUM of the All-Russian Forum of Volunteers, which united the social, events, medical, cultural, “silver” and young volunteers of Victory and emergency volunteers. Over 1,000 volunteers from 85 Russian cities were met to discuss the future and the efficacy of the volunteer movement.

The welcoming speech was given by the Acting Director of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Alexei Palamarchuk: “It is wonderful that volunteerism in Russia picking up speed. People of all ages are trying to help society and each other. When the desire to do good comes from the heart, this is also an example of true patriotism and love for Country”.

Ksenia Razuvayeva, the Director of FGBU Rospatriottsentr: “Every year our traditional forum is becoming less formal and more like a friendly meeting”. Ksenia noted that last year young people were twice as more active in the volunteer movements, and today there are more than 4 million young people volunteering.

The Director of the Centre for Studies of Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Irina Mersiyanova said that previously, in order to estimate the scope of volunteerism we only used sociological surveys, while in 2016 volunteers for the first time became the object of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service. “The first data show that 13% of the adult population is organised in volunteer movements, and 34% are involved in unpaid volunteer work on their own”.

Children are also actively involved and the Russian student movement is gaining strength”, Irina Vladimirovna stressed.

Several discussion platforms will be held during the four days in the forum, including the launching of the volunteer programme of the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students, the first congress of youth volunteers of the Russian Student Movement, the final All-Russian competition Volunteer 2016 and other important events for the professional community of Russian volunteers.