The role of the media in the revival of volunteerism in Russia discussed in Pyatigorsk members of the Board of the media Association of the NCFD

    

As part of the fifth media forum “Blessed Caucasus,” held in Pyatigorsk, at the initiative of Pyatigorsk and Circassian diocese and with the support of the office of the presidential envoy in the NCFD, met the Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church and society and the media V. R. Legoyda, Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk Theophylact and the Plenipotentiary representative of Russian President in North Caucasus Federal district A. A. Matovnikov with members of the Board of the media Association of the NCFD. The meeting was dedicated to the theme “the role of the media in the revival of volunteerism in Russia. Experience of the Affairs of the Church”, reports the Synodal Department for Church relations with society and the media.

“The development of volunteerism is a sign of recovery companies. And it is encouraging that young people are keen on it. This means that in their hearts there is a demand for moral actions,” — said, opening the meeting, A. A. Matovnikov.

Plenipotentiary representative of the President in skfo recalled that in Pyatigorsk state University for seven years there is a volunteer center. Similar centres covering different fields of activity, also established in other universities of the North Caucasus Federal district.

The envoy underlined that the Russian Orthodox Church for centuries has accumulated experience of volunteering, especially in the social field, which is defined by such words as compassion, active sympathy, empathy. “This experience can be attributed to the work of the Sisterhood of Pyatigorsk, the crisis center “Home for mom”, a children’s shelter “joy” and other projects of the diocese,” — said the Plenipotentiary representative of the President.

Continuing the theme, the Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church and society and the media reminded the audience about the successful experience of the Orthodox service of assistance “Mercy”, the forces of the volunteers which in 2004 launched the project “Bus of Mercy”, which became the first mobile station, where the homeless could shelter from the cold, to first aid and a chance to get back to normal life.

As noted V. Legoida, the project began and for the past 9 years to promote volunteers, was so successful and popular that in 2013 transitioned to a new organizational level. It was then that the Moscow city government, adopting the experience of service “Mercy”, have created a municipal service “Social patrol”, which includes not a few as previously, and over 30 buses.

“Volunteer work is always stunning, poignant stories, which could become part of the series about our volunteers. There is no need to think of something. I really hope that there will be a TV series about volunteers, now it is a popular format,” — said the representative of the Church.

“Let us often to tell you about our volunteers. They are doing very great and important work”, — concluded Vladimir Legoyda.

Archbishop Theophylact of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk, in turn, said that “volunteerism is the Foundation that can connect different people regardless of nationality and religion. Volunteerism, the desire to help another person is a natural product of the faith of man.”

“Volunteering is one of the integral parts of the lifestyle of residents of the North Caucasus. This Cossack traditions, and ADAT customs, which are in the Caucasus include the desire to help those in need”, he added.

According to Bishop Theophylact, volunteerism can be the basis of a nationwide moral compass. “When we talk about the national idea, part of it must be a movement of volunteerism,” said he.

According to the Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk, the traditional media, there is ample opportunity to talk about volunteer projects, but the media should not just publish news about them, and invite their audience to participate in volunteer projects.

“On the territory of the North Caucasus Federal district and many volunteer organizations, but some of them are not known. Pyatigorsk and Circassian diocese is ready to organize a special press tours for the media community to talk about these volunteer organizations,” said Archbishop Theophylact.

“With the support of the media have become the social norm volunteerism will bring real results, which are communication, understanding, and overcoming all sorts of phobias, fears, particularly in front of people of other nationalities, different religious traditions. Because when all together doing one thing, then it becomes the best Foundation for what we call good-neighborliness and friendship,” he said.

“I hope that today’s meeting will serve as a practical dialogue and further work will make our lives better and people happier,” concluded the Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk.

    

Reports at the meeting were also made by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the coordinating center of North Caucasus Muslims, mufti of Stavropol region Muhammad-Haji Rakhimov, Chairman of the public movement “Volunteer victory” O. N. Emelchenkov, Executive Director of the media Association of the North Caucasus A. M. Yakushev, Chairman of the Stavropol regional Department of Russian Union of journalists, chief editor of the newspaper “Stavropol Pravda” Vladimir Balditsyn and editor in chief of TV channel “Arhiz 24” M. M. Batchaev.

At the end of the meeting, the head of the Synodal Department for Church and society and the media V. Legoida, and Archbishop Theophylact of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk awarded the winners of the Fifth interregional open festival-competition “Blessed Caucasus”.

In the category “Best news story” for the story “Born at Christmas” prize was awarded to the correspondent of information service of TV channel “Arhiz 24” M. S. Lipanova.

In the nomination “Best TV program” behind the story about the community of deaf and hard of hearing of the city of Stavropol was awarded the editor of the “Stavropol Blagovest” E. I. Zubkova.

In the nomination “discovery of the year” for the story of opening a rehabilitation center in the village of Blagoveschenka the prize was awarded presenter of editorial information of the broadcast television channel “Kabardino-Balkaria” CCU “CBD media” A. M. Aristava.

In the nomination “For loyalty to profession” award was given to the head of the Studio “Hail the cross” of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church L. A. Sklyarova.

In the nomination “Dialogue of cultures” for the program “faith and love” was awarded to correspondent GTRK “Alania” I. P. Kabulov.

In the category of “Orthodoxy on the Internet” for publication about the orphanage and guest house “Sofia” was awarded to the correspondent of TASS N.N. Kolosova.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Plenipotentiary representative of RF President in the North Caucasus Federal district S. S. Starikov, chief editor of the newspaper “Evening Stavropol” M. Yu., Vasilenko, Executive Director, mcai “North Caucasus” Z. O. Magomedov, chief editor of the newspaper “the Word” A. K. Eliseeva, Director of the newspaper “Pyatigorskaya Pravda” A. A. Rogachev, Director of the publishing house “IL” K. U. Totiev, Deputy chief editor of the Republican newspaper “North Ossetia” Alexander Thorin and other executives and employees of leading media of the North Caucasus.

The forum “Blessed Caucasus” held with the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill in 2014, an annual gathering in Pyatigorsk representatives of all regions and dioceses located in the territory of the NCFD. A forum devoted to topical issues of interaction of the media with public and religious organizations, as well as an agreed position of public opinion leaders of the North Caucasian Federal district on especially significant issues.

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