State awards are the highest form of encouragement, which are issued for special merits. Awards can be issued on behalf of the state, can be departmental and industry. According to the provisions of the Federal Law “On Public Organizations”, such formations also have the right to be awarded. The commanders of military units, heads of enterprises, public and veteran organizations are entitled to award the most worthy. Representatives of authorities can be involved in the procedure.
Promotion as motivation
Public awards and medals are the largest group of awards. Conventionally, they can be divided into two categories:
- issued in honor of a certain merit;
- given out for special merits in a certain industry.
But under any circumstances, such an encouragement is intended to confirm certain merits, to note a certain personality who won in competitions or in a competition. And if the award procedure is carried out in a festive atmosphere, then this only strengthens the corporate spirit in the company or institution.
The legislation does not provide for virtually any restrictions on organizations that may establish their own awards. It can be companies, enterprises and public organizations, educational institutions. The only restriction is that public awards and medals cannot repeat the name and resemble the form of state insignia, including those issued during the Soviet Union.
Award Procedure
Since public organizations and companies have the right to independently establish awards, they are entitled to independently determine the reward procedure.
For example, the distinguishing sign "For selfless service", for "Civic Valor" and a number of others are presented complete with a frock mark, personal identification and certificate.
The awards of public organizations “For Labor Merits”, “From Understanding to Unity”, “For Professional Excellence” have an individual case and a personal certificate.
And to the national award “For Labor Achievements” comes a silver jewelry bar and a certificate that is protected from fake.
Military decorations are usually awarded with a certificate of engagement.
Naturally, the whole event takes place in a festive atmosphere. Media representatives may be involved in the procedure to cover the event.
Highest Public Award
This award is called "Pride of Russia." The medal is issued only to the genuine patriots of our country, who have made a significant contribution to strengthening the greatness of the motherland, to strengthening the economy. Among the awarded, Gagarin Yu.A., Tereshkova V.V., Kalashnikova M.T., Roshal L.M. (pediatrician and surgeon) can be distinguished.
It was established by the Pride of the Fatherland Charitable Foundation. The fund itself was created relatively recently, with the support of the President, the government, the International Academy of Spiritual Unity of the World’s Peoples and a number of other institutions and organizations. The main goal of the fund is the revival of national traditions, charity and philanthropy. And it is precisely for such merits that one can get the distinctive sign “Pride of Russia”.
Military decals
The committee, dealing with the issues of internationalist warriors, at one time established several awards. The most famous is "15 years of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan." The jubilee medal appeared in 2003. In 2009, the medal “20 years of withdrawal ...” appeared. According to the statement of the committee’s leadership, a new medal will also be established this year: “30 years of withdrawal ...”.
The right to get a medal is for people who participated in the Afghan war and in other local wars, the activities of the state, as well as the right for other people with certain merits. Today the list of local wars for participation in which they can award is quite wide: military operations in Syria, Hungary, Algeria, YAR, Korea and so on.
In 2005, the same committee established the Veteran of Hostilities medal.
Cultural sphere
The National Academy of Motion Picture Arts has established the Order "For Contribution to Culture", which has 2 degrees. Such an award can only be received by persons who have made a great contribution to the field of science and art and who strive for the highest moral ideals.
The Academy also founded the Order of Serving the Arts, which is issued in two degrees:
- "Golden Star". Awarded for achievements that have received public recognition.
- "Silver Star".
Another interesting order in the field of public awards and medals - for achievements in the cultural sphere - the Pinocchio medal. Gives such a distinction only for those achievements in the field of culture and upbringing of the younger generation that were achieved with the help of courage and wit. One of the most famous owners of such an order are composers Rybnikov A. and Dunaevsky M.
For achievements in the social and medical fields
In 2016, the Public Awards Committee established a public medal “For Charity and Charity”. It can be obtained by persons who have a special sensitivity for war veterans who are involved in assistance and rehabilitation in the medical and social sphere, are involved in charity work and are philanthropists. The main thing is that the activities of such individuals should be aimed at improving the level and quality of life of citizens of all categories.
In 1997, the Russian Medical Society founded the Order "For Mercy and Healing." It is issued to persons who have made a significant contribution to the country's health sector. The former Minister of Health Shevchenko Yu., Patriarch Alexei II was honored to receive a distinctive sign.
The National Glory of the Fatherland Charitable Foundation has established a number of medal signs:
- “Ruby Cross of Glory”;
- "Stars of Glory of the Fatherland";
- "Sacred Power" and others.
A medal from this fund called “For Selfless Work” is issued to those people who have shown themselves to be charitable in relation to children and mothers.
Advances in Science
The organization NP World of Science in 2005 established the Symbol of Science medal, which has 6 degrees. The founder of the Nonprofit Partnership is Professor S. Kapitsa, who was the initiator of the creation of the distinguishing sign, which is issued to people with significant merit in the development of scientific activity, increase the prestige of scientists and popularize science, thereby stimulating the younger generation to learn.
A public organization in Russia called the Russian Medical Society, which is part of the World Medical Association (WMA), has established a number of orders and medals that are designed to highlight individual medical workers:
- “For scientific medical research”;
- “For the art of healing”;
- "For the service of people."
The society itself was registered back in 1997 and combines several thematic public organizations: the Russian Society of Women Doctors, the Russian Society of Patients, the Russian Society of Nurses, and others. In addition to rewarding for services, the Company is committed to protecting the rights of specialized specialists, patients, medical students.
Business activities
Perhaps the most famous public organization in Russia in the field of entrepreneurial activity is the “Association of Russian Banks”.
In 2007, the Association established the distinguishing sign “For Services to the Banking Community”, which has 2 degrees. You can get a badge for special merits and contribution to the development of the domestic financial system. In 2011, another sign was established - “Honored Banker”. It is given to managers and employees of the banking sector for special merits. However, in order to receive an award, it is necessary to meet a number of serious conditions, and one of the main things is to work in the financial sector for at least 15 years, of course, to make a significant contribution to the development of the bank where the employee works.
Charitable Foundation “National Treasure” founded the memorial sign “Golden Star of the Fatherland”. The insignia is gilded and issued to the heads of enterprises who have achieved significant success at their post. The award itself is consecrated in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
The Council for Public Awards of the Heraldic Chamber established two distinctive signs, an order and a medal. Both of them go under the title “For Merits in the Development of the Russian Construction Industry”. As the name implies, only specialists in the field of construction can get it.
At one time, the Federal Bar Association established the distinguishing sign “Honorary Lawyer of Russia”. Only those who have a minimum of 30 years of legal practice and do not have any “dark” spots on their reputation can receive the award. The decision on awarding is made not only by the chamber, but also on the basis of a presidential decree. For a significant contribution to the development of the lawyer industry, the awards were awarded to Ilyin V., Olshansky P., Mirzoev G., Astakhov P. and Rosenthal M.
The same organization established the medal "For Merits in the Protection of the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens." She has 2 degrees. Awarded for active participation in protecting the rights, legitimate interests and freedoms of citizens of the country, in social projects and in improving the professional activities of lawyers throughout the country.
Valor, courage and honor
Not so long ago, namely on April 15, 2018, the medal “Young Patriot of Russia” appeared. Its founder is the regional public organization "Patriotic Association of Veterans of the Border Service" Rubezh "(Moscow region). Young people who have made a significant contribution to the military-patriotic sphere can have such a distinctive sign and have an active citizenship. The persons nominated for the award can be students of cadet classes and corps, members of military-patriotic clubs: ROSTO-DOSAAF, Yunarmii and others.
What is the medal for military valor awarded for? This distinctive sign was established in 2000 by the Public Association of Veterans “Battle Brotherhood”. Applicants for the award can be local war veterans, internal affairs workers, other categories of citizens who have made a significant contribution to the defense of the Fatherland. To date, about 3 thousand people have been awarded.
The All-Russian Public Organization “Officers of Russia” instituted a medal “For Officer Honor”. It is issued to individuals who contributed to the patriotic education of the population, contributed to the revival of the traditions of the Russian officers. Even foreign citizens can apply for the award, but not younger than 21 years old. The same society established the eponymous order. Such an award must have a license plate and is issued for the popularization of patriotism in the country, an activity that enhances the status of an officer in the eyes of society.
In 2016, on the eve of the celebration of the Day of Veterans of the Internal Affairs Bodies, the Commission on Public Medals and Commemorative Tokens establishes the medal “On Guard of Law and Order”. Veterans of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, military personnel, representatives of law enforcement agencies, including the tax service, departmental and law enforcement agencies can get it. The main thing is that the applicant for the prize made a significant contribution to the fight against crime.
Awards contrary to law
Not all public awards of the Russian Federation were established and issued in compliance with the current legislation of the country. Back in 2008, by decision of the Supreme Court, the All-Russian Public Organization “Academy of Security, Defense and Law Enforcement Problems” was liquidated. The initiator of the liquidation was the prosecutor of Russia, Chaika Yu., Who in his statement accused ABOP of illegally establishing and distributing distinctive signs that are identical to state ones.
The organization itself lasted 8 years, since 2000. Over this period, about 73 awards were established. ABOP awarded many famous people, even Gerard Depardieu, Margaret Thatcher, the mother of Ramzan Kadyrov was awarded the honor. In addition to awards, the Society awarded special titles, for example: “Honored Lawyer of ABOP”, “Honored Worker of Science of ABOP” and so on. Together with the conferment of the title, chest badges, certificates and diplomas were issued. The most scandalous hallmark was the Order of Peter the Great, which had three degrees and was presented as selfless acts, courage and other merits in civilian life, in the military and in the performance of official duties.
In these actions, there is a resemblance to state awarding and conferring titles. In general, all these facts served as the basis for the liquidation of the Company and the confiscation of distinctive signs. Although to date, many public figures and ordinary citizens do not see similarities in the distinctive signs of ABOP and state awards. At no court hearing did they hear the views of the Heraldic Council, the Commission on State Awards. The court limited itself to bare facts and dry language. In fact, it is quite difficult to discern the line of differences in the current legislation between public awards and medals and those issued by the state.
In any case, public decals are a good incentive for a person to strive for heights and to be an exemplary citizen of their homeland.