By David Gold

generations for_peace_19-10-11October 19 - Sochi's preparations for the Winter Olympics, being held in the Black Sea resort in 2014, have been boosted by the Generations For Peace camp, which concludes today, particularly in helping to train some of its volunteers ahead of the Games.


It is the second Generations For Peace camp in Sochi following on from its success last year, when they teamed up with the 2014 Organising Committee to hold the event.

This year they have joined forces once more, but have also had the support of the Sochi city administration, including its mayor Anatoly Pakhomov, who has praised the organisation of the camp and spoke of his hope that it would help boost volunteering in the city.

"Our preparations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014 have given Sochi a great opportunity to stimulate positive social change throughout the region, through the combined power of sport and volunteerism," Pakhomov said.

"Partnering with an international NGO (non-Governmental organisation) like Generations For Peace, with its expert facilitators and highly developed curriculum, means we can help spread that change in our city, our region, our nation, and beyond."

The opportunity to collaborate with Sochi has also been a boost for Generations For Peace, and they are hoping it will help them to expand their presence in Europe.

"For their volunteers this will add to their skills, knowledge and experience in the build up to 2014," said Generations For Peace chief executive Mark Clark.

"Sochi have a requirement for volunteers, it enabled us to identify some really good quality delegates, and it gave a boost to their volunteer programmes - it is a win win situation.

"Last year's Sochi camp was our first in Europe, for us that was really exciting, it gave us an opportunity because of its geographical location to invite delegates from around the regions.

"This camp really builds on the experience and success of last year and the relationships made then with the Sochi city administration, Mayor Pakhomov, and the organising committee for the Winter Games."

Sochi's volunteer programme is well underway, with 26 volunteer centres set up around the country identifying and recruiting volunteers to train them up for 2014.

They are also helping to bring an early legacy and ensure that the benefits of volunteering are spread to other areas of Russia.

One of the volunteers at the Generations For Peace camp in Sochi and intends to be a part of the Winter Olympics is Ekaterina Tskhakaya, who hopes the experience will help her quest to volunteer at future Olympic Games:

"I hope to [work at Sochi 2014], and I hope to volunteer at the London and Rio Games too.

"This is a great experience, I like connecting with people, meeting foreigners and an opportunity to learn some basic working skills.

"We have to organise a lot of events in many fields, and we can work in the media, we cover various areas."

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