Vladimir Putin took part in a ceremony for presenting the all-Russian municipal award Service held as part of the second All-Russian Municipal Forum, Small Homeland – the Strength of Russia.
The President presented the statuette to Vladimir Tarantsov, First Deputy Head of the Veydelevsky District Administration of the Belgorod Region – Head of the Security Department, winner in the category, Valour and Heroism in Service to the Motherland.
The all-Russian municipal award Service was established under Presidential instruction in 2023. It is awarded in ten categories to representatives of the municipal community who have made a significant contribution to resolving issues of local importance and to developing local self-government. This year, more than 41,000 applications from all constituent entities of the Russian Federation were reviewed.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, friends,
I am delighted to greet the participants and guests of the second All-Russian Municipal Forum, Small Homeland – the Strength of Russia, and congratulate you on Local Self-Government Day marked in Russia today.
The forum, supported by the Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government, brought together representatives of the municipal community from all Russian regions. I am confident that the upcoming exchange of experience and best practices will contribute to improving the quality of life of our people and achieving the country’s national development goals.
You are dedicating yourself to a difficult but very important service. It is you that people first ask to solve their everyday problems, it is with you that they pin their hopes for tangible and much-needed changes for the better.
That is why municipal work is not only a great responsibility, but also a meaningful vocation. It is, without exaggeration, a mission of vital importance to both the state and our society. This is indeed a true service and a mission.
You know how many passionate and concerned people serve among you, in municipal governments, enterprises and organisations. They love their work and follow the rich centuries-old traditions of the local self-government system, as well as the best ideals of the Russian zemstvo. They are ready to pool their efforts, knowledge, and energy to ensure specific transformations, including in small towns and rural areas, the development and prosperity of their native land, and therefore, our entire beautiful and vast country.
This is, indeed, a genuine service to fellow countrymen, neighbours, fellow citizens. Of course, it is right that this is exactly how the award is called – Service – that is presented for the best projects and initiatives of the municipal community.
I know that it was difficult to select the winners. The organising committee received almost 42,000 applications, and over one million people took part in the popular vote to choose the best ones.
This shows that both the idea of this award and your hard work are popular among people. I believe that this recognition will encourage more fruitful work, as well as new initiatives and projects that would help reveal the potential of local self-government and strengthen the well-being of our citizens.
Friends,
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and we understand especially clearly that time has no influence over the people’s memory. No matter how hard someone may try, no one can distort or tar the feat of the Red Army soldiers who saved the world from Nazism.
Today, again, unfortunately, we are forced to oppose those who are trying to encroach on the security of our country. Once again, we come to the conclusion that courage, the strong spirit, and unity of our people can overcome any threat, while fortitude, loyalty to duty, and sincere love for the Fatherland that we are witnessing today prove the continuity of times.
In the regions of Donbass and Novorossiya, and the border areas, the employees of municipalities acting in challenging conditions, sometimes risking their lives, fulfil their professional and, simply put, human duty, help, support, and save people. This deserves utmost respect and gratitude.
Without a doubt, the fact that the award has a new category this year – Valour and Heroism for the Greater Good of Motherland – is an absolutely fair and timely development.
I believe it is crucially important to involve participants and veterans of the special military operation in all levels of government, including the municipal level. They demonstrated through their deeds that they are strong and reliable people who are up to the most challenging tasks, and that the best interests of the Fatherland are of paramount importance for them.
As you may be aware, the Time of Heroes federal career development programme is operational in our country. Similar career projects have been launched – that was my request, and I would like to thank the heads of regions and municipalities for complying – in all territories and all regions of Russia. Of course, I expect these programmes to give us new leaders and professionals in local self-government, who can take the lead and show an example of selfless work for the benefit of society.
Capable, competent, and thoughtful leaders are a welcome asset everywhere, especially at the municipal level. Clearly, the municipal level comes first, since it is as close to the people as it gets. That is why the most effective managers should work there.
It is critical to be aware of goal you are working to achieve, and to follow the true nature of service, where the good of the country and its people is the key objective, the top mission. The awards to be presented today are a tribute to those who see their calling in this particular way.
I would like to thank all award winners and laureates of the all-Russian municipal award Service and to wish the participants every success in their work and happiness in their private lives.
Thank you.
Kaynak: (BYZHA) Beyaz Haber Ajansı
