Press Releases
U.S.-Russia Volunteer Initiative Opening
September 19, 2005
Following a summit at Camp David in September, 2003 between Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin, a Presidential Initiative was announced to deepen U.S.-Russian partnership in solving global problems. The program, called the U.S.-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI), has two U.S. Government sponsors, the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Through the USRVI nearly 70 young American and Russian community leaders travel as volunteers to communities in the other country for eight weeks of service September - November, 2005. The volunteers had two areas of focus:
- HIV/AIDS awareness
- Preservation of cultural heritage sites
This program has begun a new phase of U.S.-Russian cooperation, and opens the door for future collaboration in addressing similar needs in other countries. The volunteers will also compete for small grants to support similar projects in their own communities after returning home, providing sustainability to their efforts.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow works closely with U.S. and Russian implementing partners for the initiative, IREX and the Union of Youth, who recruit volunteers and host NGOs and organizations throughout the two countries. A bi-national steering committee, consisting of Russian and American officials appointed by their respective governments, assesses progress and provides strategic direction for the initiative.
The 2005 USRVI Program kicked off with a Volunteer project at Tsaritsyno, an archeological site from the period of Katherine II. About 35 Russian volunteers gathered prior to their departure and participated in the project, heard remarks from senior officials from the Russian Union of Youth, embassy representatives, and the program manager from IREX, and worked side by side with professional restoration specialists and other volunteers. The participants then departed for their programs in various U.S. locations to contribute to projects in HIV/AIDS prevention and the preservation of cultural heritage sites.
For more information on this program please contact the Cultural Section at 728-5242.