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In her remarks, Anna Kuznetsova stressed the special role of mentorship of children who leave institutions for orphans and children left without parental care, as well as mentorship of adolescents in socially threatening circumstances, those supervised by commissions on minors’ affairs and protection of minors’ rights, and monitored by juvenile police departments.

The Commissioner spoke about the main tasks of the Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office and, specifically, its work related to children’s mentorship and support.

According to Kuznetsova, one of the most efficient methods to develop mentorship is the Fathers’ Council, which was recently established by the Commissioner’s Office. The purpose of the council is to promote family values through specific mentorship and children’s education projects.

Another priority responsibility of the Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office is to provide assistance with organising comprehensive support of children leaving institutions for orphans and children left without parental care. Ms Kuznetsova noted that several regions have been implementing various models to integrate such children into society, including individual support and mentorship schemes.

Additionally, the Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office signed a cooperation agreement with the headquarters of the Yunarmiya (Youth Army) national military-patriotic movement and is developing a mentorship project for the movement that will support children from children’s homes and other social institutions, as well as minors in conflict with the law. The project is aimed at cultivating patriotism, responsibility, initiative, independence, and assisting in children’s character-building.

Another important area of work, in Ms Kuznetsova’s opinion, is support of gifted children. “It is up to the mentor to discover and nurture a young talent. It is also the mentor’s mission,” she said.