Every year on January 17th there is a holiday dedicated to people who help others acquire new knowledge and skills, grow and develop, – International Mentoring Day. It was initiated by the American non-profit organization MENTOR, which is developing the mentoring movement in the United States, in order to recognize the importance of such activities.
The holiday was first celebrated in 2017, and the date chosen for it was January 17, the – birthday of the famous professional boxer and active public figure Muhammad Ali, who was a mentor and example for young athletes, friends and numerous fans around the world.
In general, mentors are those who pass on their knowledge and experience to their students, who, as a rule, are younger and less experienced; mentoring is understood as the process of guidance, training, instruction and motivation of the ward. Moreover, the – mentor is not just a teacher or consultant who transfers specific knowledge and skills, but also helps to develop the student’s talents and abilities, navigate a difficult life situation and make the right decision.
Therefore, – mentoring is not only about vocational training, but also about personal development. And the most important factor is an individual approach in the relationship between mentor and ward.
By the way, the history of this « phenomenon» goes back to ancient times. Even in primitive society, young men, in preparation for initiation into men, were under the supervision of senior members of the tribe and gained some experience. Similar practices existed in Ancient Greece. There are many historical examples of mentoring in various religious movements, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity. Mentoring was also widely used by artisans and professional guilds in different countries and in different centuries. It was also widespread in the USSR – in particular, in the system of vocational education and industrial training. In the modern world, without losing its relevance, mentoring is practiced in various fields, including jobs, educational institutions, informal settings and much more.
And, as experts note, this practice is very useful not only for the student himself, but also for the mentor. One gains knowledge, skills, experience, personal communication in a comfortable environment, the other – of a professional and motivated future specialist and the opportunity to improve his communication and leadership skills.
In the Western tradition, the mentor is usually called «mentor» – after the character of the poem «Odyssey» Homer. Mentor was an old friend of Odysseus, whom he left in the care of his son Telemachus before leaving for the Trojan War. And he proved himself to be a wise mentor and competent teacher.
Today's holiday – is another day when you can express gratitude and say words of gratitude to those who were your mentor and teacher. In honor of the holiday, some cultural, educational and sports organizations hold thematic events about the history of the emergence and formation of the mentoring system in order to raise awareness of such an important area of work.
By the way, 2023 in Russia, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, was declared the Year of the Teacher and Mentor, in order to increase the social prestige of the profession, develop the creative and professional potential of teachers, and recognize the special status of teaching staff, including those engaged in mentoring activities.