‘Volunteering Is in Every Healthcare Worker’s Blood’
From August 7 to 9, the annual All-Russian Forum of Medical Volunteers took place at HSE University’s Cultural Centre. The event was held for the seventh year in a row. This year, 300 medical volunteers from all over Russia took part.
The forum's main objectives are to support youth initiatives in the field of healthcare and create a communication environment for the development of medical volunteerism. The forum organisers and partners included the Medical Volunteers all-Russian public movement, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Rosmolodyozh.Dobro track, and the Federal Centre for Support of Volunteering and Mentoring in the Field of Healthcare.
One of the forum’s main events was the signing of an agreement to open the Centre for Volunteer Training in Medical Support for the World Youth Festival 2024 in Russia.
At the opening of the forum, Tatyana Semenova, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, welcomed the participants and said that they have all been doing a very important job for the country over the past few years. ‘Volunteering is in the blood of every healthcare worker,’ commented Tatiana Semenova. ‘In fulfilling their official duty, each medical worker gives a little more than they should in the framework of the job description. It is very good that students have the opportunity to unite their efforts as early as in their university days.’
Mikhail Murashko
She also passed official congratulations from the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko. ‘The forum is a significant event for volunteering in the healthcare sector. As always, the most active and responsible representatives of this sphere have gathered here today. These people not only come to the aid of our population every day, but also organise large-scale work in all regions of Russia. This vocation requires special spiritual qualities—kindliness of heart and responsiveness, and sometimes real courage. You are our hope and support,’ the minister said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also greeted the forum participants.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Continuing the noble traditions of volunteering, you fulfil an important mission—dealing with relevant challenges that the homeland and healthcare face, helping medical workers cope with a wide range of professional problems, paying tireless attention to medical work, popularising the values of a healthy lifestyle, and, therefore, your organisation enjoys well-deserved prestige and respect.
The forum will host a grant competition from the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh). The creators of the most interesting and promising socially significant projects will receive up to one million roubles for their implementation.
Maria Yakunchikova, Advisor to the Chairperson of the Russian Red Cross, said that the All-Russian Forum is a real celebration for her. ‘I am glad that the development of the Medical Volunteers movement continues every year. You accept new people and new territories into your beautiful big family. It’s great that the team is enriched with such enthusiastic hearts,’ she said.
The forum participants told the HSE News Service about what they do and why they decided to take part in the event.
Svetlana Arsanova, sixth-year student of the Faculty of Medicine, Siberian State Medical University
— I am a medical volunteer engaged in promoting donation. During my studies, I realised that I wanted to volunteer, to benefit people. I cannot be a donor myself for medical reasons, but I want to involve as many people as possible in this, to show how important it is. I talk about why this topic is relevant, that it is not scary and benefits society. I also talk about bone marrow donation, because there is a severe shortage of donors here. We hold lectures and various events. I am glad that people respond and sign up to the register of donors.
Maria Asmus, fourth-year Dentistry student, Siberian State Medical University
— This is my first experience of participating in such forums. I was invited here as a coordinator for assisting medical organisations. I really want to meet different people from other regions and improve my ability to work with a team and develop leadership skills. In my opinion, it is important to be able to competently build team work in order to improve performance in organisations.
Aleksey Staritsyn, fifth-year student of the Faculty of Medicine, Chita State Medical Academy
— I want to become a trauma doctor. I was previously involved in the Stop HIV/AIDS movement. The forum is a great opportunity to get to know well-known people in volunteering circles, as well as expand your opportunities and horizons. My expectations are super high, because everyone here is very open and highly inspired.
See also:
Research Results from HSE University Form Basis of UN Report on Volunteering
The first Regional State of Volunteering in Central Asia Review was presented at the UN Headquarters in New York as part of the annual High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The preparation of this document included the research conducted by the HSE Centre for Studies of Civil Society and the Nonprofit Sector (CSCSNS), with Viacheslav Ivanov, the Chief Expert of the Centre, serving as the lead author of the review.
‘The African Students Association Believes in Fostering an Inclusive and Diverse Atmosphere’
Russia is becoming an increasingly popular study destination for African students, and HSE University is actively seeking to attract more students from African countries. Bakary S. Sonko, from Gambia, is a master’s student at the Graduate School of Business and an active member of the volunteering community both at HSE University and beyond. In this interview, Bakary recounts his achievements as a volunteer and talks about how African students at HSE have built a supportive and welcoming community for each other.
‘Summer in Russia Has Been the Most Adventurous Holiday in My Life’
Sheripher Dinala, from Malawi, is a student of the Master’s in Political Analysis and Public Policy at HSE University in Moscow. With her busy summer over and the new academic year in full swing, Sheripher shares her stories of moving into a university dormitory, volunteering at international conferences, and nighttime dancing by the Moscow River.
‘Earth Is Our Only Home; We Must Preserve It’
The Green HSE student organisation recently held the ‘Green Conversation’ festival at the Cultural Centre on Pokrovsky Bulvar. At the event, participants discussed the planet’s main ecological problems and the steps required to start building a green future today.
‘The Club Offers People with Mental Disabilities Something They Lack—Communication’
HSE University is known for its active extracurricular life. There are many student organisations at the university, so everyone can find something for themselves. Anna Lulikyan, fourth-year bachelor student in Sociology, told the HSE News Service about the Best Buddies HSE volunteer club.
Why Volunteers Keep Coming Back
HSE University researchers together with colleagues from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and the University of Pennsylvania examined the determinants of episodic volunteer satisfaction and its impact on the motivation to continue volunteering.
‘We Are Trying to Change Attitudes Towards Homelessness’
HSE University graduates and the Nochlezhka charity organisation have launched a social media project called ‘Gde-to ryadom’ (‘Somewhere Nearby’) about volunteering to help homeless people. The project offers a look at volunteer work from various perspectives through personal stories, expert opinions, and interactive cases.
HSE University Situation Centre Assists Over a Thousand Students
HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov met representatives of the HSE Situation Centre to discuss the results of its volunteers’ efforts. The meeting focused on new forms of support and the problems faced by students.
Researchers from HSE University Compare Motivations of Volunteers at Winter Olympics in Sochi and Beijing
The Sochi 2014 Olympics volunteer programme involved 25,000 people. It was the first such volunteer project in Russia and was organised with support from the government, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Charity Festival Held by HSE University
HSE University Student Development Office held its traditional Charity Xmas festival from December 1th to 5th. The event was open to HSE University students, staff and graduates, and anybody else who wished to attend. This year for the first time, it was online, but nonetheless brought together a large number of guests and speakers. The HSE News Service spoke about volunteering and charity in the Coronavirus era.