In his speech, Sergei Ivanov noted that “Warm Heart” is a good and necessary initiative that brings society and the government together in their effort to cultivate moral and patriotic values in young people, set the right life values and objectives, teach them to feel involved in the fate of the country and be responsible for its future.
According to Mr Ivanov, the actions of the youth who did not give up in a difficult life situation but overcame the challenges that sometimes overwhelm adults elicit profound respect and are a worthy example to follow. Sergei Ivanov expressed gratitude to the parents and teachers of the winners for raising the children whom the nation can rightly be proud of.
The “Warm Heart” national social state initiative is a project by the Sociocultural Initiatives Fund, implemented since November 2013. Its goal is to seek out examples of heroic and courageous acts, readiness to selflessly help others, bravery in overcoming difficult life situations, and acknowledging them with public recognition and gratitude. Children and youth aged 23 and under can be nominated for the award by youth and children’s associations, organisations and communities.
In 2016, the award winners included seven public organisations for children and youth, as well as 113 youngsters, three of whom received the awards posthumously.