"The creed of every pioneer is to love their Motherland." The pioneer movement of the Vitebsk region celebrates its 100th anniversary
- Children's initiatives are being implemented, and interesting meetings are held in the regional Pioneer organization. In the united ranks of citizenship and patriotism are veterans of the Pioneer and youth movement, and young citizens of our country, – noted Irina Elenskaya, Chairperson of the regional council of BRPO. – As before, the credo of every Pioneer is to love their Motherland, be fair, help, and work. We continue to foster all of this in modern children and teenagers. Every year, the spirit of the Pioneers gains a stronger foundation and teaches Pioneers to be friendly and cohesive.
One of the most important areas of activity of the regional Pioneer organization is the civic-patriotic education of the younger generation.
– This priority area fully reflects the organization's goal – to help every Pioneer become a citizen who benefits themselves, their family, and their Motherland through their deeds and actions, – emphasized Irina Sergeevna. – That is why more than 30 regional events and patriotic campaigns are held annually in the Vitebsk region, including Pioneer organization rallies.
The Vitebsk region is the only one that annually hosts the regional sports and patriotic game "Zarnichka" and the regional military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa." In the Year of National Unity, the large-scale festival "In the Unity of Generations – the Strength of the Country" was held, which brought together creative teams from educational institutions of the region, members of the Pioneer organization, youth, employees of the regional military commissariat, and others.
– Every year we expand the boundaries of pioneer friendship, where a large part of the projects are implemented within the framework of cooperation between the border regions of Belarus and Russia, and projects such as the "Memory Marathon" and "Letters of Victory" have become traditional, – said Irina Elenskaya.
In addition, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the pioneer movement, the Russian-Belarusian project "Days of Pioneer Friendship" was launched in Smolensk, which united schoolchildren and teachers from the Vitebsk Regional Pioneer Organization and the Smolensk region.
As you know, leaders are not born, they become leaders. Therefore, the personnel strategy of the regional pioneer organization is focused on the comprehensive training and professional development of the chairmen of territorial councils, and most importantly – on pedagogical organizers who perform the functions of senior counselors of pioneer detachments. The further development of the country's younger generation largely depends on this. To exchange experience and form professional competencies of senior counselors, an educational forum for leaders has been held in the Vitebsk region since 2020.
The personnel strategy of the regional organization has found support and was recognized at the republican level: a first-degree diploma for the best territorial council of the BRSM Public Association. Also in the collection of awards are 10 prize-winning places and three best methodological developments in additional nominations out of 21 works submitted to the republican competition of information and methodological materials "Traditions and Innovations in the Activities of the BRSM Public Association".
There are 311 pioneer detachments operating in the Vitebsk region, which unite almost 75 thousand children and adolescents. In terms of student involvement in the activities of the regional pioneer organization in the district/city councils of the BRSM Public Association, the leading positions are held by Vitebsk, Shumilino and Miory.
The experience of the region has shown that the effectiveness of the organization's activities lies in a wide variety of types and forms, including modern (fashionable, top, image-building) ones, which allow to take into account the interests of all children, parents, and educators. For example, based on the results of its activities, the Vitebsk Regional Organization ranks 1st among the pioneer organizations in the country and has the highest indicators in three areas: information and methodological support of activities, project activities, and international cooperation.
– It is important for children to grow up as patriots, to be involved in interesting and important matters for the country, where everyone can dream, create, and act. Accumulated traditions should not be forgotten; on the contrary, they must be multiplied and passed on to the new generation along with the characteristic traits inherent in true pioneers, – believes Irina Elenskaya. – And, of course, the pioneer organization of the Vitebsk region is one big and cohesive family that follows the main statutory principle: "A pioneer is always ready!".
In 1922, by a decision of the All-Russian Komsomol Conference, the pioneer organization was created. The main symbol of belonging was a red three-pointed tie, symbolizing the unbreakable connection of three generations – pioneers, Komsomol members, and communists. Today, it repeats the colors of the State Flag of Belarus.