More than a thousand meetings have already taken place in the Vitebsk region as part of the open dialogue "Youth of Belarus: Traditions and Future".

As part of the open dialogue in the Vitebsk region, over a thousand meetings between youth and representatives of local authorities, businesses, clergy, public organizations, culture, sports, and other spheres have already taken place. As reported by Yulia Novikova, First Secretary of the regional committee of the BRSM, a wide range of issues have been discussed. The new generation has proven to be quite inquisitive. Importantly, along with questions, proposals are also being made. Youth see where they can be useful and express their readiness to participate in solving pressing problems.

– Employment and leisure time activities are the leading topics based on the meetings held. The implementation of various initiatives ranks second. The development of the education system is also frequently discussed, – noted Yulia Novikova. – The open dialogue has become a platform for communication and exchange of ideas, providing an opportunity to be heard and to hear others. This is especially important on the eve of the Year of Youth and the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory.

 

Another meeting was held at the Vitebsk State Medical University, this time in an expanded format. Representatives of student youth and working youth from not only Vitebsk but also from Vitebsk, Liozno, Senno, Shumilino, Polotsk, Orsha districts, and Novopolotsk gathered here. The dialogue was attended by Irina Matveeva, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee; Denis Zakharevich, Head of the Youth Affairs Sector of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture, and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee; Tamara Krasnova-Gusachenko, Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Branch of the Public Association "Union of Writers of Belarus"; and Alexander Kovalev, Head of the Department for Youth Affairs of the Vitebsk Diocese and clergyman of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Young people were interested in: how will the youth employment center, the creation of which is currently being discussed, work in the Vitebsk region? Will students be able to spend more time directly at production sites rather than in classrooms? What needs to be done to increase the prestige of national literature, both in Belarus and abroad? What work with youth is carried out by the Orthodox Church? And the question about the expectations of the younger generation in the Year of Youth was addressed back to the audience: how do you want to see this year? Many suggestions were received: from holding trainings and forums to unite different groups of young people, to installing a gym at every enterprise and dormitory to make sports more accessible, to creating conditions for more comfortable travel around cities by bicycle. Such a desire for a healthy lifestyle, of course, should be encouraged. In addition, there is a need to hold seminars in district centers on starting one's own business and developing entrepreneurship in the regions, which will, among other things, contribute to retaining youth in small towns.

Opinions:

Denis Zakharevich, Head of the Youth Affairs Sector of the Main Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee:

– Such meetings are certainly necessary, but only if there is a practical result, meaning the initiatives will be at least partially implemented. Good ideas were voiced, and I would like to hear suggestions for their implementation. In turn, government bodies are ready to provide support. However, public organizations and enterprises where young people work should not remain on the sidelines either. It is necessary to promote the disclosure of young people's potential, support their aspirations morally and materially, and create conditions for an active life.

Igor Knyazev, Chairman of the Coordination Council of Primary Organizations of BRSM of the Vitebsk Branch of Belarusian Railways:

– An open dialogue provides an opportunity for young people to express their wishes and suggestions on how to improve the lives of citizens in the city and the region. To identify issues that are relevant to youth. For example, the trend towards a healthy lifestyle, which is important for society as a whole. I hope our ideas will be heard. Interaction between youth and authorities is necessary.

Natalia Shtilikova, First Secretary of the Liozno District Committee of the BRSM:

– During meetings in our district, many questions were raised by rural youth, particularly regarding housing and living conditions. Young large families made suggestions to improve the demographic situation. Schoolchildren had many interesting projects. We interact with local authorities thanks to the youth parliament established in Liozno. Open dialogue has become another step in this direction.

Olga Maslovskaya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"