The regional organization "Belaya Rus" was headed by the chairman of the regional council of deputies Vladimir Terentyev.
There is something to be proud of
– "Belaya Rus" today unites about 170 thousand Belarusians, including more than 18.5 thousand residents of the Vitebsk region, – noted Valery Bashmetov. – All our work is aimed at consolidating society, creation and moving forward, developing social activity, citizen initiatives, and forming a strong and prosperous Belarus. That is why "Belaya Rus" is one of the most influential civil society structures.
According to Valery Stepanovich, the regional organization of the public association "Belaya Rus" has fulfilled its main task: it has become a recognizable, necessary, and in-demand force, a pillar and support for local authorities in implementing social programs.
– We can state that we have succeeded, and in the Vitebsk region, under the banner of "Belaya Rus," people have united who want and are ready to contribute to the development of the state not only at their workplace but also through participation in public affairs, – emphasized Valery Bashmetov. – Over the past years, a system for improving and strengthening the role of primary organizations in work collectives has been developed, effective forms and methods of public activity have been established, and the main directions of work in various spheres have been determined.
Today, the regional organization has 911 primary organizations, 28 district and city organizations, and also an association created on a production principle – at the Vitebsk-Obilgaz enterprise. Over five years, the number of members of "Belaya Rus" has increased by more than 2000 people. Significant growth in people with an active civic stance was observed in Verkhnedvinsk (district organization chairman Irina Toironen), Vitebsk (Olga Ryazanova), Braslav (Vitaly Dolzhenko) districts, Pervomaisky district of Vitebsk (Alexander Kaplevsky), and Polotsk (Tatyana Polushkina). The largest organizations are in Novopolotsk (1629 members), Pervomaisky district of Vitebsk (1561), and Polotsk (1381).
– But the main thing is not the number of members, although that is also important, – said Valery Bashmetov. – The main thing is the quality and effectiveness of the organizations' work. "Belaya Rus" is well known for its numerous campaigns.
Traditional events include "Belaya Rus" – with love for children!" (congratulating newborns born on Independence Day), "Belaya Rus" – to the future defenders of the Fatherland!", "For the safety of children on the roads!", "Belaya Rus" adorns Belarus", "For the revival of spiritual heritage!", "For a healthy lifestyle!", "Belaya Rus" – to the rural workers", "New Year with "Belaya Rus!" and many others.
Among the significant events in the Year of Youth (2015), the conference highlighted a round table with presidential scholars from the Vitebsk region, the regional inclusive creativity competition "Under the Wings of Orion", participation in the sports games of the Gomel regional organization of the RPOO "Belaya Rus", an international Skype conference involving veterans and former child prisoners from Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan, and youth and veteran public associations. Members of "Belaya Rus", together with representatives of the BRSM, participate in projects and programs aimed at implementing state youth policy.
Among them are the contests "Golden Pen of Belarus", "Best Young Family", round tables "Labor Employment of Student Youth". Great attention is paid to honoring veterans of the Great Patriotic War, internationalist soldiers, widows, mothers of fallen soldiers, caring for military graves, holding military-patriotic rallies, round tables within the framework of the campaign "Belarus" – to Veterans" and so on.
In May 2016, the final stage of the festival of amateur creative groups "Belarus Lights Up the Stars", dedicated to the Year of Culture, was held. It was attended by 12 organizational structures, 27 groups, and more than 200 performers. In the Year of Culture, exhibitions of fine and decorative arts "Art Bird of Pridvinye" (Vitebsk region), ecological festivals (Miory, Glubokoye) were also held, cultural and educational projects were implemented (Dubrovno, Oktyabrsky, Pervomaisky, Zheleznodorozhny districts of Vitebsk), and literary and tourist-local history routes were developed.
Members of the "Belarus" public association are always involved in festive events dedicated to major state holidays. Sponsorship is provided to socially vulnerable segments of the population: orphans, large families. Last year alone, about 15 thousand rubles, collected from membership fees, were directed to these needs.
The regional organization of the "Belarus" public association also actively participates in the political life of the country, in particular, in all stages of electoral campaigns of the last five years. Public reception offices of "Belarus" play an important role in the organization's activities, where anyone can turn for advice or support. Over five years, more than 1700 people in the Vitebsk region have used this opportunity.
Valery Bashmetov also noted that 2017 is a юбилейный year for the organization, it will celebrate its tenth anniversary. In October, the III Congress of the "Belarus" public association will be held, where priorities for further development will be determined.
Reach Everyone
Chairman of the PRR "Belaya Rus" Alexander Radkov, who attended the regional conference, noted that in recent years the organization has become the most powerful public force in the country.
– "Belaya Rus" today is a professional structure for conducting any political campaigns, an effective personnel reserve at all levels, an integrating public force, as well as a community of people of high culture, – said Alexander Mikhailovich.
He emphasized that the main task of the "Belaya Rus" activists is to reach everyone, to involve district organizations and primary cells, and to attract young people. This requires authoritative, thinking people. The potential is there: in the Vitebsk region alone, in three district organizations, the leaders are deputy chairmen of executive committees, and, for example, among the 110 deputies of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, 69 are members of "Belaya Rus". Alexander Radkov noted with satisfaction that the authorities pay attention to the activities of the regional organization of the PRR: the conference was attended by the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region Alexander Poznyak, and the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Penin.
– Judging by the authority of "Belaya Rus", the possible path of development could be the transformation of the public movement into a political party, – expressed Alexander Radkov. – We are educated and structured on a party principle. However, the potential of "Belaya Rus" as a public association has not yet been exhausted. The current format of the organization allows active participation in the political life of the country.
Alexander Kutynko, "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photo from the archive of the PRR "Belaya Rus".