Public Festival Promotes Charity and Volunteerism in Russia
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| Children and adults make crafts at a festival in Moscow promoting NGOs, volunteerism and inclusion of children with disabilities. |
On May 31, 2009, in Moscow’s Sokolniki Park, the Agency for Social Information (ASI) joined together with 13 other NGOs to organize a spectacular festival to promote charity and volunteerism in Russia, and to raise awareness about the needs of vulnerable groups such as children with special needs. The festival centered on the national “It’s So Easy!” campaign, developed by ASI as part of its USAID-supported “Building Public Trust in NGOs” project. About 10,000 people participated in the festival’s games, performances, contests and a variety of other activities – including children from 12 orphanages and rehabilitation centers. A central highlight at the festival was the opening of a NGO Alley, a walkway in the park with 32 brightly painted benches bearing the logos of different NGOs, many of which are supported by USAID.
The contribution of NGOs to social and economic improvements in Russia were emphasized in speeches at the opening of the alley by prominent figures, such as deputies from the State Duma and the Moscow City Duma, the head of one of Moscow’s administrative districts, and the Miss World 2008 runner-up.
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