Prospects for cooperation between the youth of Belarus and Russia were discussed in Orsha
These and other issues were discussed at the Ice Arena in Orsha during the open dialogue "Youth International Cooperation, Problems and Prospects" by participants of the Union State cycling rally, the student tourist gathering, the Orsha youth activists with representatives of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, the leadership of the Orsha District Executive Committee, deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, and representatives of the departments of the Russian Federation.
The goal of the event, held in a briefing club format, is the further strengthening of ties between youth associations of the two countries in the context of modern integration processes.
Viktor Yakzhik, Deputy Minister of Education of Belarus, shared his experience in organizing international youth cooperation. He noted that a lot of joint projects and initiatives are currently being implemented. In particular, the role of youth organizations in developing relations between countries, as well as the specific work carried out by youth activists, was highly appreciated. These include cultural and sports events, tourist gatherings, construction brigades, motorcycle rallies, volunteering, olympiads, and other forms of interaction.
A separate area is our common heritage. A huge area of activity is civil and patriotic education: military-historical clubs, search parties, the "Immortal Regiment," and the cadet and Suvorov movements. Alexander Segodnik, Deputy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, is convinced that it is necessary to establish closer contacts in the field of modern information technologies between Russian and Belarusian youth organizations.
Nikolai Krapivin, Deputy of the Youth Chamber of the Orsha District Council of Deputies, asked Sergey Lochan, Director of the Federal Center for Children's and Youth Tourism and Local History of the Russian Federation, whether the good traditions of the Komsomol are alive in Russia.
– The organization has remained, only decreased
its members, – he said. – Now it is the Russian Youth Union. The best traditions are, undoubtedly, alive and have found their continuation in new initiatives. The youth of Russia are confidently building the future, having taken over the baton from the Komsomol members.The discussion was continued by the topic of youth construction projects and joint projects. Natalia Pshenichnaya, Head of the Department for Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Education of Belarus, reported that there is a public association "Russian Student Brigades" in Russia.
– An agreement has been concluded between the BRSM and the RSO, – she noted, – and we have been implementing the project "Youth Builds the Union" for the third year. A nationwide youth construction project has been announced – the Belarusian NPP. This summer, 400 people worked there – a brigade where young people from our two countries worked. This is excellent practice that will be continued.
Alexey Logunov, consultant of the Department for Youth Affairs of the Smolensk Region Department for Education, Science and Youth Affairs, head of the Russian Federation delegation at the Union State cycling race, came up with the initiative to hold the "Dobrokhota" campaign together with the Belarusians, which started in Russia. This is the improvement by volunteer youth detachments of the graves and monuments of soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. The Belarusian side also supported the idea of a kayak trip along the Dnieper, the waters of which originate in the Smolensk region.
Participants of the cycling race "Youth of Russia and Belarus – the Road to the Future of the Union State" expressed sincere interest in further cooperation and implementation of joint initiatives.
Olga Lebedeva, photo by the author. "Vitebskiye Vesti".