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The meeting brought together federal and regional leaders, political analysts, and public figures and was led by Novgorod Region Governor and Chair of the State Council Commission on Family Andrei Nikitin. The participants focused on preparations for an upcoming State Council meeting to review the outcomes of the Year of the Family.

The head of the Novgorod Region noted that, speaking at an expanded meeting of the Presidential Council for Strategic Development and National Projects in May, the President supported the idea of assessing national projects from the viewpoint of family interests. In June, the Novgorod Region has implemented the Family Centricity regional standard which promotes employer support for employees with children and provides access for families with children at various institutions. Over 200 organisations in the region have implemented this standard, Andrei Nikitin said.

Head of the Presidential Directorate for the Formation and Activities of the State Council Vladimir Simonenko noted that the Novgorod Region was chosen for this field meeting for a reason. According to the presidential instruction, a pilot project to promote childbirth is being conducted in the Novgorod, Penza, and Tambov regions. Best practices from this project will be scaled in the regions with low birth rates. He also noted that the Family Commission must develop proposals for the upcoming State Council meeting to provide continued family support in order to increase birth rates and to ensure preservation of the people.

During the meeting, representatives from federal ministries and regional administrations reported on efforts to incorporate family support measures into new national projects.

Presidential Aide and State Council Secretary Alexei Dyumin had the following to say, “Our goal is for all families to have the chance to fully realise their potential and to ensure a secure future for their children. Young people should not have to choose between being employed and enjoying a dignified standard of living, and having a family. The national projects under development must address issues that affect families with children, including families of the special military operation participants. The State Council in conjunction with the Government and the regions must do everything to maximise the benefits of these decisions.”