Dmitry Demidov: "The VII All-Belarusian People's Assembly will be historic without any exaggeration"
Valentina Randarevich, Chairperson of the Dokshitsy District Council of Deputies, who participated in the event online, spoke about how the nomination of candidates for delegates to the All-Belarusian People's Assembly was carried out in the region, and asked Dmitry Demidov for his opinion on the importance of the upcoming work in the All-Belarusian People's Assembly for young people.
– Among the candidates for delegates to the People's Assembly, there are many young people: these are university and school teachers, students, people who have distinguished themselves in public work, who have come up with initiatives in various areas that have subsequently scaled up to the republican level, – said Dmitry Demidov. – The youth of Vitebsk region is represented with dignity. Based on the experience of previous VNS, I believe it is very important to hear from our national leader an assessment of what is happening within the country and the foreign policy aspect. It is important to understand what kind of world we live in, in what context, taking into account geopolitical and geoeconomic realities, we exist. And when you hear such a message from the President, Belarus's role in certain projects becomes clear. Moreover, the head of state dwells in great detail on issues of domestic and foreign policy, explains in simple terms the main directions, goals and objectives in order to preserve the country, the people, so that people have prospects and a future. It is very useful for young people to participate in such events to understand: they are delegated there not as extras or listeners, but with the right to vote, to make statements. It will be useful for them to analyze on what basis certain decisions are made. For young people, this is important in terms of forming an inner core as potential leaders or politicians. The youth who will take part in the VNS will be enriched with new experience, and I sincerely hope that they will subsequently work just as actively with their peers.
Elizaveta Ivanova, a 1st-year student at Vitebsk State Medical University, a candidate for delegate to the VII VNS:
– I am proud that my candidacy has been nominated for participation in the VNS. Since youth is not only the future but also the present of our country, it is upon us that the great responsibility for the independence and prosperity of our country will be placed. We have an active civic position, so we will not only propose ideas but also direct our efforts, skills, and knowledge towards their successful implementation.
Valeryan Matskevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Public Association "Belarusian Union of War Veterans in Afghanistan":
– I was fortunate enough to participate in the I and VI All-Belarusian People's Assemblies. Indeed, at the first one, there was a strong confrontation. Alexander Grigoryevich acted wisely by convening the People's Assembly. 4740 delegates were elected, including myself – from the agrarian sector, as I was the chairman of the collective farm. The delegates had different thoughts in their minds. But after a powerful speech by Alexander Lukashenko,
when he said: "Only the people have the right to decide their own destiny...", many delegates changed their minds. At that time, the issue of the republic's transition from a parliamentary to a presidential form of government, the construction of apartments, and the future of the agro-industrial complex were being decided. For the first time, a program for the socio-economic development of Belarus for a five-year period was adopted. This assembly marked the beginning of the stabilization process in the country, and many felt that the situation was under control. And already at
the VI People's Assembly, a sense of national unity was felt, and prospects were visible. Today, I am confident that the wisdom, experience, and youth of the delegates of the VII People's Assembly will allow them to make sound decisions for the life of the entire country for years to come.