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The message reads, in part:

“The noble traditions of charity and guardianship, assistance to those who are in need of care and compassion, have always been part of our people’s nature and invoked a warm response from people and support from society. The decree by Peter the Great of June 8, 1701, on opening institutions for the care of sick and distressed elderly people, which laid the basis of the state social protection system in Russia, was a special landmark in history.

It is gratifying that the inspiring ideals of honest and selfless serving the profession of one’s choice are worthily continued by the present generation of social workers. You work at the veteran’s homes and boarding schools, in family and child support centres, and other social service organisations. All of you are united by not only devotion to your profession but also special personal and human qualities: personal involvement and sympathy, and a deep awareness of the importance of your mission. Indeed, the life of millions of people and resolution of everyday and sometimes very complex problems largely depend on you and your dedication. This is why it is important to constantly improve the quality, efficiency and availability of social services, actively apply advanced Russian and foreign experience, pool the efforts of the state, development institutions, not-for-profit entities and businesses and volunteer organisations in this area.”