Website of the President of Russia: Commissions and Councils

Meeting of the Coordinating Council for Implementing the National Children’s Strategy

2017-11-30T10:31:25+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Coordinating Council for Implementing the National Children’s Strategy at the Kremlin to review the Council’s operation over the past five years.

The Coordinating Council was established in September 2012 to oversee the interaction of government agencies at all levels, as well as public and research organisations in implementing the National Children's Strategy. The Council develops proposals to the President on priority aspects of the state policy for children. The Council is headed by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

Today we will discuss the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy. It was designed for five years, and much has been done over this period to attain the goals and resolve the issues outlined in the strategy.

It is very good that all regional authorities, public organisations, as well as the expert and academic community contributed to this work. The strategy has acquired a truly national character, and it could not have been otherwise because the issue concerns children, who are the future of Russia.

Today we must adopt a package of measures that will allow us to stabilise the numerical strength of the population and prevent its decrease in the forthcoming decade. We must work actively and persistently in all areas to both reduce the death rate and encourage the birth rate. In fact, we must reset our demographic policy.

Other speakers will undoubtedly provide a detailed analysis of the Council’s achievements. I can say that the results of its operation are mostly positive. They confirm the importance of the Federation Council’s initiative and the tasks that have been fulfilled.

Of course, we must continue working on this. We have not yet achieved everything we need to, but I will speak about this later. As you know, a Decade of Childhood has been declared this year under an executive order. I hope that the Government , while implementing this order, will correlate it with the tasks of the National Children’s Strategy and that the Federation Council will continue to oversee these issues.

I would like to point out the priority importance of such goals as strengthening the family and creating equal opportunities for the comprehensive development of all children.

You know that since the beginning of the 2000s we have been closely and consistently dealing with demographic development issues. Owing to substantial and effective decisions, we have been steadily resolving tasks in this area.

To increase the birth rate, I propose introducing a number of new family support measures starting as early as January 2018. The first is to introduce a monthly allowance to be paid from the first child’s birth until the child is 18 months old. The allowance will be based on the child subsistence expenses in a respective region.

One of the measures we introduced and which is still implemented is maternity capital. It played a special role. Much has been achieved in this respect and the birth rate has started growing. Having two children in a family has become a stable trend. The infant death rate has decreased, primarily owing to the established system of perinatal centres. We have managed to achieve natural population growth, which nobody hoped for, but it has taken place.

Despite this, the demographic situation is declining again, mostly for objective reasons. This trend was predictable and it is linked with the consequences of the previous, deep and overlapping demographical declines. I am referring to the decline during the Great Patriotic War in 1943–1944 and about the same drop in the middle of the 1990s due to enormous problems that emerged in the economy and a de facto collapse in the social sphere.

Today we must adopt a package of measures that will allow us to stabilise the numerical strength of the population and prevent its decrease in the forthcoming decade. We must work actively and persistently in all areas to both reduce the death rate and encourage the birth rate. In fact, we must reset our demographic policy.

As for the birth rate, we must primarily support families with many children and families with modest incomes and create additional incentives for the birth of the second and third child.

Second. I propose extending the maternity capital programme through December 31, 2021. Moreover, I am proposing additional ways in which the money can be used.

We should also pay special attention to young families. As a rule, they have small incomes because these are young people who are either still studying or have just started working. Usually their incomes are very modest and this often prevents them from having their first child.

I must say that we spent much time discussing various measures. Now it is time to make a decision and announce what new measures we are suggesting.

To increase the birth rate, I propose introducing a number of new family support measures starting as early as January 2018.

The first is to introduce a monthly allowance to be paid from the first child’s birth until the child is 18 months old. The allowance will be based on the child subsistence expenses in a respective region. Depending on the region, it will amount to an average of 10,523 rubles in 2018, 10,836 rubles in 2019 and 11,143 rubles in 2020. The allowance will be a targeted measure subject to the family’s income. I believe it would be fair to primarily support those who are really in need. As I said, the payments will be based on the child subsistence expenses set in every region for the second quarter of the year prior to the year of application for the allowance. It will be provided to families with an average income not exceeding 150 percent of the able-bodied population’s subsistence level also set by the respective region for the second quarter of the preceding year. The cost of implementing this measure over three years will amount to 144.5 billion rubles.

Thirdly, as you know, a decision to increase the number of regions receiving federal budget co-financing for paying benefits to families raising a third child has already been announced. In all, 60 Russian regions will be able to obtain support as of January 1, 2018. Those regions where the average woman has two children or fewer will be able to obtain support.

Second. It has been 11 years since maternity capital was first introduced. Parents and families count on this money, without doubt. It has become a very good motivation to have a second child. You know that the maternity capital programme is to wind down at the end of the next year. I constantly get the question – and, I think, many of you do too – about what happens next. I propose extending the maternity capital programme through December 31, 2021. Moreover, I am proposing additional ways in which the money can be used. Specifically, maternity capital may be also paid as a monthly allowance to families who are in great need. The same targeted approach will apply as to the first-child allowance. The payments will also be based on the child subsistence level in the respective region and will be paid to families with incomes equalling or under 150% of the able-bodied population’s subsistence level, until the child reaches 18 months.

In addition, it will now be possible to use maternity capital to pay for preschool education services after the child turns two months old. To be more exact, it can be used for child care and supervision. I know that this measure is in very high demand. For example, a mother can then continue to work or study after the baby is born.

Fourthly. I suggest launching a special mortgage programme. Families that have a second or third child after January 1, 2018 will be eligible. When buying housing on the primary market or refinancing mortgages taken out earlier, families will be able to rely on state subsidies on annual interest rates above six percent.

Thirdly, as you know, a decision to increase the number of regions receiving federal budget co-financing for paying benefits to families raising a third child has already been announced. These benefits have been paid since 2013. Children under three years old are eligible for such benefits. The legislation of Russian regions stipulates criteria to identify families in need and the procedure for issuing payments.

I would like to remind you that federal budget co-financing is provided to regions with an unfavourable demographic situation and whose total birth coefficient falls short of nationwide levels. This year, 50 Russian regions took advantage of these co-financing terms.

In all, 60 Russian regions will be able to obtain support as of January 1, 2018. Those regions where the average woman has two children or fewer will be able to obtain support. In effect, the regional birth rate coefficient increases to two. As I have already said, this change in coefficient levels allows 60 regions to obtain federal assistance to pay benefits to families raising a third child.

Fourthly, the housing issue is seen as very important, especially by young families and all families with children. I suggest launching a special mortgage programme. Families that have a second or third child after January 1, 2018 will be eligible.

The fifth point. We have practically resolved the problem with places in kindergartens. Now we must eliminate waiting lists at nurseries – for toddlers from two months to three years of age.

When buying housing on the primary market or refinancing mortgages taken out earlier, families will be able to rely on state subsidies on annual interest rates above six percent. Let me explain this. For instance, according to the Bank of Russia, the weighted mortgage average amounts to 10.05 percent. In other words, in this case the state pays more than four percent of the interest rate. According to the Ministry of Construction, this programme may cover over 500,000 families in the next five years.

I will go into more detail. The mortgage-lending programme will be fixed term. The interest rate over six percent will be subsidised for the birth of a second child for three years since the loan was issued; and five years since the loan was issued for a third child. There may be questions. Suppose the programme is coming to a close but a baby has just been born. What happens in this case? If a third baby is born within the term of the subsidy but no later than December 31, 2022, this term will be extended for another five years from the end of the term of the subsidy for the birth of the second child. If a third baby is born after the term of subsidy for the second child but no later than December 31, 2022, subsidising is resumed starting with the birth of the third baby.

The fifth point. We have practically resolved the problem with places in kindergartens. Now we must eliminate waiting lists at nurseries – for toddlers from two months to three years of age. We should do this as quickly as we can. Parents of over 326,000 toddlers have already applied for places in nurseries. We have planned to create the same number of nursery places in the next two years.

My sixth point. It is important to work more thoroughly and consistently to improve access to child medical services and, certainly, their quality. I have already said many times that in the past year there has been a breakthrough in building regional perinatal centres. However, conditions in the majority of children’s outpatient clinics and their equipment leave much to be desired. There are issues with waiting times and doctor appointments. This state of affairs also contributes to keeping families from having children. In any case, this situation simply must be fixed.

The estimated cost of major renovations and additional equipment for children’s clinics is over 50 billion rubles. Apparently, the regions do not have the resources for performing these works despite the aid they have received from the Government lately. Therefore, in the next three years, the federal budget will be providing a large share of this funding, 10 billion a year.

My sixth point. It is important to work more thoroughly and consistently to improve access to child medical services and, certainly, their quality.

The Government and the regional authorities need to promptly develop a detailed schedule for the renovation of children’s clinics, including outpatient units in hospitals, and to approve the co-funding terms and the clinic selection procedure based on available design specifications and cost estimates and, primarily, due to the acuteness of the issue.

I believe these measures will have a positive outcome. Once again, we are talking about this country’s future, about Russians having as many children as possible, about a higher quality of life and better medical care.

This is what I wanted to say in the beginning. Thank you very much.

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Instructions following meeting of Coordinating Council for Implementing National Children’s Strategy

2017-02-20T20:18:54+04:00

Vladimir Putin approved a list of instructions following a meeting of the Coordinating Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Strategy that took place on November 15, 2016.

The Government has been instructed, in particular, to amend the legislation concerning the development of comprehensive medical, social, and psychological-pedagogical services for children with health problems and their families, children without parental care, children from families at social risk, as well as issues related to the supply of medicines and healthcare products for children with chronic ailments and in need of regular medical treatment or substitution therapy, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.

The Government has been instructed to include research on children’s health, including prevention of disabilities, in the long-term fundamental research programme.

Instructions to the Government and the regional executive authorities concern the gradual expansion of the neonatal screening programme and perfecting the teenage suicide prevention programme.

The Government, together with the authorities in the Republic of Crimea, have been instructed to draft a package of measures to develop health resort facilities and services in the town of Yevpatoria specifically for children’s holiday and health needs.

Meeting of Coordination Council for Implementing the National Children’s Strategy

2016-05-31T20:03:07+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov took part in a meeting of the Presidential Coordination Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Strategy. The participants focused on involving children in decisions that affect their interests.

Mr Ivanov pointed out that numerous children and youth associations have been created and successfully operate in Russia. They are active throughout the country. They need support. Their experience can be used in the work with troubled teenagers. Search groups to locate WWII soldiers missing in action is one example of such work.

Speaking about access to school education, Mr Ivanov noted that it has significantly improved over the past four years. However, according to Rosstat, in 9,870 schools, or 23 percent of all Russia's schools, classes are conducted in two or three shifts. Mr Ivanov said this figure is alarming, since about two million schoolchildren are affected by this problem.

The meeting participants also discussed the effects of armed conflict on children. History shows that the number of wars is on the rise, and children are their victims, Mr Ivanov said, adding that it is up to the adults to do their best to make sure that children never have to witness the horrors of war, suffer deprivation, or fight in armed conflicts, but enjoy instead a happy childhood, a decent and peaceful life, and the right to be heard.

The meeting was chaired by Federation Council Speaker and Coordination Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko. Deputy Prime Minister and Coordination Council Deputy Chairperson Olga Golodets delivered a keynote address on the main issue of the agenda, Children as Participants in the Implementation of the National Strategy. The meeting was also attended by Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Pavel Astakhov, Minister of Science and Education Dmitry Livanov, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Pankov, representatives of non-governmental youth organisations and educational institutions, schoolchildren from Moscow, the Moscow Region, Kaluga, and members of the Children’s Public Council under the Moscow Commissioner for Children's Rights.

Meeting of Coordinating Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Strategy

2015-11-17T15:58:00+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov took part in the 7^th meeting of the Coordinating Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Strategy.

The meeting participants discussed the development of the social infrastructure for children.

In his address, Sergei Ivanov noted positive developments in the implementation of the National Strategy. Thus, in 2014 there was a natural population growth. In his view, this was in part a result of measures to support families with two or more children and due to qualitative changes in healthcare. The Chief of Staff noted a 20 percent reduction in the number of orphans over the past year.

Mr Ivanov called for greater attention to the creation of worthy prospects for children. This involves better conditions for the children’s intellectual, physical and moral development, for discovering and using their talents and positive interests to the maximum potential. Mr Ivanov said this requires cooperation with NGOs operating in the sphere of pre-school and extra-curricular education and those that have programmes for children with special health needs.

The Chief of Staff stressed the need to raise living standards for families with children and to create a system of targeted assistance for those who need it.

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, who is the Chairperson of the Coordinating Council, chaired the meeting. The key speakers were Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Chairperson of the Coordinating Council Olga Golodets and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.

Meeting of Coordinating Council for Implementing National Children’s Strategy

2015-03-20T18:00:26+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Presidential Coordinating Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Strategy. The focus of the discussion was on healthcare for young people.

The Coordinating Council was created in September 2012 to facilitate interaction between various bodies of authority as well as public associations in implementing the National Children’s Strategy. The Council also drafts proposals for the President regarding priority areas of the national policy on children.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

The agenda of this Coordinating Council meeting contains issues dealing with improving the health of our children and young people. It is no secret that the successful resolution of these issues is to a large extent the key to the future of this country, of Russia, to its economic, social and demographic prosperity, its defence capability and national security, and most importantly, to the physical and moral health of our citizens, our entire society.

Teenagers’ health has a direct impact on their future, their ability to acquire a profession, create a family and raise children. It is the age when the body changes, prepares for adulthood, a period of rapid growth when the individual’s personality and outlook take shape.

At this age, teenagers reach the toughest stage in their development. They are especially vulnerable, often even helpless in the face of the difficulties, temptations and risks they encounter in today’s world. We all know that nowadays young people face far more risks that we, their parents or grandparents, did. Therefore, it is very important to help the teenagers, and primarily to pay the most careful attention to their health.

Colleagues, the issues we will consider today are multifaceted. Many factors have an impact on young people’s health: this can be the atmosphere at home and at school, the family’s standard of living, the accessibility of healthcare, the quality of food and the availability of sports.

We have quite a few problems in all of these areas. We are well aware of this, and this is supported by alarming statistics. Thus, medical check-ups of 14-year olds conducted in 2011 found only slightly more than 16 percent of them to be in perfect health, 54.3 percent had various functional disorders, and over 5 percent had disabilities. These figures clearly indicate that the state of young people’s health leaves much to be desired.

A number of measures were taken recently to remedy the situation: for example, we increased the scope of high-tech medical assistance 1.3 times in 2012, and 1.5 times last year, compared to 2011.

To prevent problems with young people’s reproductive and psychological health we have reinforced corresponding branches of medicine. Thus, we have almost doubled the number of medical and social aid centres, which has led to a reduction in the share of children with psychological and emotional disorders. The number of suicides among young people has almost halved in the past five years.

However, I would like to stress that this horrible problem still exists. We have to make sure parents and teachers pay greater attention to the emotional state of children and teenagers, while expert assistance should be accessible, efficient and timely. I do not think I need to promote here in this group the idea that the state is right in limiting the propaganda of suicides on the Internet, among other things.

The results of medical check-ups of adolescents aged 15–17 last year showed a 6 percent increase in the number of absolutely healthy young people, while the number of those with chronic ailments went down by 5 percent.

We undoubtedly see a positive tendency here, but there has been no cardinal change yet, as over 70 percent of young people still suffer from various ailments, some of them chronic. In other words, the majority of young Russians on the threshold of adulthood have health problems.

This means a lot still needs to be done in the sphere of regular medical check-ups, rehabilitation, resort therapy, summer vacationing and disease prevention. As you may know, the network of corresponding health improvement facilities develops in summer. Apart from such major children’s recreation centres as Orlyonok, and Okean in the Far East, I hope we will soon manage to bring the once famous Artek back to its proper condition.

Currently it is in a deplorable state, all they have there are event venues now, while proper accommodation for children remains a problem. Nevertheless, we will deal with it. The Prime Minister was there yesterday to inspect the site. We will continue our work. It is important to maintain not only these major facilities – we need to develop across the nation a broad network of centres that will focus on restoring young people’s health in summer.

I would like to stress here that protecting and promoting children’s health is not the job of healthcare authorities alone. These areas require a complex approach by a number of agencies at all levels: federal, regional and municipal, and, of course, with the participation of public associations and civic society institutions focussed on social issues.

I believe that all regions of the Russian Federation should run their own programmes to develop young people’s health that would take into account the existing experience, prioritise goals and attract investment. The main thing here is to approach this with an understanding of the enormous significance of the matter that we all need to address, rather than show an indifferent formalistic approach.

Local government bodies have special responsibility here, as they have good knowledge of the situation on their territories and can arrange assistance to families with disabled children or families where young people have found themselves in critical life situations, in risk groups. In some cases, as we all know, the parents of these young people also need support and advice.

A great deal can be achieved locally in terms of creating sports and recreation facilities, places where people can take the revived Ready For Labour and Defence physical training test. I would like to stress that the revival of this tradition will undoubtedly prove to be beneficial for our young people.

According to experts, over 50 percent of all diseases are a result of people’s lifestyle and behaviour. We have to stop treating young people as people who only need the help and support of adults. We must teach them independence and responsibility for their health from a young age.

We need to get children involved in sports, hold all sorts of competitions, Spartakiada Games, and form groups of high-school students who will promote healthy living. The example of successful and active peers often has a better effect than the mentoring of adults.

Colleagues and friends, this is exactly what we have in mind when we bring major competitions, such as University Games, the Olympics and world championships to this country. We are doing this primarily to promote sports and a healthy lifestyle. I hope the latest success of our ice hockey team will work for the same goal. I am sure young people will make healthy living fashionable very quickly. We only need to direct and support them.

Friends, I have singled out only a few issues that I believe to be of priority interest. Undoubtedly many of you have your own ideas on what needs to be done and how. I would like to thank you for your attention. Let us begin our work.

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Meeting of Coordination Council for Implementing National Children's Strategy

2015-03-20T18:00:54+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov took part in the second meeting of the Presidential Coordination Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children's Strategy.

In his speech at the meeting, Mr Ivanov said that family is a category with special moral worth, which has traditionally occupied a central place in Russian culture; it is the foundation of a nation’s sovereignty and a guarantee of society’s harmonious development. In this connection, the elaboration of a national family policy in Russia should draw on the country’s own values and traditions.

The Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office said that caring for families and protecting childhood, motherhood and fatherhood is the object of increasing governmental attention. In this respect it is important to build partnerships between the state, society and religion. It is also important to adopt measures to support families and improve the demographic situation, measures which are already producing results.

It is necessary to strengthen the institution of the family in every possible way, to increase its credibility and social significance, and to promote the revival of the values of large, multigenerational families. It is also necessary to engage in meaningful work to prevent child abandonment and other negative practices. The Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office said that the national family policy concept must be designed to facilitate this. He also noted that special attention should be paid to protecting orphans and children left without parental care.

During the meeting work on the state family policy concept was analysed. That document should not be merely declarative, but rather a truly objective, in-depth and informative guide to action that reflects the essence of ideology and national family policy, Mr Ivanov emphasised.

The Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office also read aloud the President’s message to meeting participants.

The meeting was held in the run-up to International Children's Day, which is celebrated on June 1.

Meeting of the Coordinating Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Interests Action Strategy

2015-03-20T18:01:11+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov held the first meeting of the Coordinating Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children’s Interests Action Strategy.

Mr Ivanov pointed out that more support should be given to non-commercial organisations carrying out family and children support programmes. Mr Ivanov also noted the need to bring family policy legislation into order, make legal amendments, and propose new legislative provisions if required. Quality of life standards for children also should be drawn up and approved, Mr Ivanov said.

The Coordinating Council’s chairperson, Speaker of the Council of Federation Valentina Matviyenko, noted the need to improve policy regarding financial incentives for child birth. In particular, Ms Matviyenko spoke in favour of federal co-financing for child benefits paid to large families in regions with low birth rates. Ms Matviyenko also mentioned the possibility of expanding the uses to which maternity capital can be put, for example, paying for costly health treatment for the child, setting up a farm, opening a family business, and other purposes of social importance.

Ms Matviyenko also raised the issue of preventing children’s protection authorities from ungrounded intervention in the affairs of families without problems. Children must be protected from parental cruelty and violence, but at the same time, normal families should be protected from unjustified action by state and municipal authorities that limits their parental rights. Children’s rights must be respected, but parents’ rights also are to be respected, Ms Matviyenko said.

Ms Matviyenko asked Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev to head the work on drafting a clear legal definition of the concept of ‘child pornography’ in order to fight this kind of crime more effectively. Ms Matviyenko also asked Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Pavel Astakhov, as well as State Duma and Council of Federation representatives, to take part in these efforts.

A draft law on voluntary testing of students for drug use is currently before the State Duma. Coordinating Council members raised at the meeting the idea of making the tests compulsory. Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev suggested that the tests’ results could possibly be supplied to the Interior Ministry for crime preventive use.

Coordination Council formed to implement the National Children’s Strategy for 2012–2017

2015-03-20T18:01:15+04:00

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On the Presidential Coordination Council for Implementing the National Children’s Strategy for 2012–2017.

The Coordination Council to implement the National Children’s Strategy for 2012–2017 is an advisory and consultative body under the President of Russia. The council was formed with the aim of providing support to federal, regional and local authorities, non-governmental organisations, research and other organisations in examining issues pertaining to the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy for 2012–2017.

The Executive Order approves the Provision on the Coordination Council that sets forth its objectives and rights, and approves its composition.