"BRICS Volunteer Program: Assisting Children in Crisis Situation" Presented in Brasília

At the II BRICS Forum on "Traditional Values" held in Brasília, the "Volunteers of Peace" platform presented the international "BRICS Volunteer Program: Assisting Children in Crisis Situation". This initiative brings together specialists and volunteers from Russia, Brazil, India, and Ethiopia to find and apply effective methods for helping children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"Our project is about the most important thing: children who have experienced trauma. Our task is to give them a chance for a healthy future," emphasized Lyubov Zuyeva, Director of the "Elizaveta" Foundation and the project lead from Russia. She stated that thousands of children worldwide live with the heavy burden of PTSD due to war, hunger, loss of loved ones, and lack of prospects. "Our mission is not just aid, but restoring faith in life through support, creativity, and human compassion," she said. Zuyeva also noted that the project combines the experience and knowledge of professionals to help the most vulnerable and expressed readiness for open dialogue and exchange of practices with colleagues from BRICS countries. "Together, we are creating a space for mutual support where healing becomes a shared experience – both for those who help and for those being saved," she added. Zuyeva expressed confidence that cooperation within BRICS will enable a faster response to the needs of children in crisis and help form effective support systems.

In 2026, the program plans exchange visits, joint educational and cultural events, and the publication of methodological materials for specialists from different countries. The organizers emphasize that participation is open to new countries and organizations – the list of participants is not closed, and the platform welcomes all who are ready to join this important mission.

The initiative received broad support from parliamentarians, business representatives, and public organizations of the BRICS countries. Nikolay Tolpinsky, initiator of African projects and head of the "Volunteers of Peace" platform, noted: "Sharing experience is a key tool for increasing effectiveness and preventing errors. It is very important to create not just a platform, but a large team of like-minded people, as international volunteering is fraught with challenges that are difficult to overcome alone."

At the round table "BRICS Humanitarian Cooperation," a report on the "Volunteers of Peace" platform's projects for 2025 was presented. Volunteers successfully implemented significant initiatives in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Russia.

One of the key outcomes of the forum was the signing of a declaration on the development of joint humanitarian initiatives and aid for children in crisis situations. The document was signed by representatives of Russia, Brazil, India, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the DR Congo. The declaration emphasizes the role of the "Volunteers of Peace" platform as a unifying venue for developing BRICS countries' initiatives based on shared moral values. It also expresses support for the child aid program and readiness to combine practices and resources in humanitarian projects.

Dmitry Kuznetsov remarked: "In the list of common values of the BRICS peoples, four out of twelve directly concern humanitarian cooperation: mercy, humanism, mutual respect, and peacefulness. By joining efforts based on such values, we make the world a happier place." Kuznetsov invited those willing to join the platform's volunteer programs, emphasizing that the next year has been declared the UN Year of Volunteers – an excellent opportunity to get involved in helping children at an international level.

"Humanitarian cooperation is about turning solidarity into real changes in children's lives. Brazil gladly welcomes volunteers from BRICS countries – initiatives like 'Edukhan' allow us to learn from each other and together find effective ways to help children and create decent conditions for their development," added Daniel Gesini Netto, President of "Edukhan" (Institute for Academic and School Recovery) and head of the "BRICS Volunteer Program: Assisting Children in Crisis Situation" program from Brazil.

The forum organizers are confident that the "BRICS Volunteer Program: Assisting Children in Crisis Situation" program will become a platform for developing long-term international cooperation and forming a professional community of specialists and volunteers working with childhood PTSD, and they invite new countries and organizations to collaborate.

The II BRICS "Traditional Values" Forum was held from September 15 to 17 in the capital of Brazil, Brasília, bringing together parliamentarians, business representatives, cultural and public figures from BRICS member states, as well as partner countries and candidate members. According to Dr. Roland Lotta, head of RL Global Academy and head of the "BRICS Volunteer Program: Assisting Children in Crisis Situation" from India: "The BRICS summit provides a tremendous experience, strengthening humanitarian cooperation and peacemaking. For greater integration, visa restrictions should be lifted and people-to-people exchanges strengthened. Shared values can enhance unity and cooperation in socio-economic and political spheres."