The forum 'United Belarus' was held in Novopolotsk
Forum experts identified topics for discussion: sanctions, union construction, the upcoming amendment of the Constitution, how to form the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, and others.
Regarding sanctions, political scientist Alexander Shpakovsky emphasized:
– They will, of course, negatively affect the economy, but at the same time, they will not lead to collapse. And these threats affect not so much the political elite as every Belarusian individually: prices have risen, and this has been felt primarily by the low-income. However, the West will not abandon pressure on Belarus.
– Sanctions are aimed at getting rid of competitors. Due to modernization, there is overproduction and surplus people in the world. And one of the solutions to this global problem is the creation of conflicts in other zones, – economist, head of the "Money and the World" project, Alexey Avdonin, continued the topic.
Philosopher and political observer Alexey Dzjarmant noted that the events of last year showed the need to strengthen and stimulate the core of political activists.
Currently, there are 15 political parties in the country, with ratings estimated at 1–3%.
– There is no need to churn out parties to have a variety; their programs are similar, – said **Anastasia Bobrova, Candidate of Economic Sciences**.
– Before building a party, it is necessary to form an idea that will resonate with people, – is convinced **Alexey Avdonin**.
Representatives of three parties attended the forum in Novopolotsk. A certain discussion on party building arose between them, but they are like-minded on a number of issues.
– The strength of political parties can increase not because the President says so from above, but only in conjunction with public associations and citizens. We need to work from the bottom up. This, perhaps, was our oversight. Maybe then the parties will have more weight, – suggested **Alexander Lukashok, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Republican Party of Labor and Justice**.
According to **Vadim Gigin**, such an over-party format as the All-Belarusian People's Assembly best suits our political regime.
– There should be certain barriers when nominating candidates to the All-Belarusian People's Assembly from enterprises. Enterprises with foreign capital should not be allowed, – is confident **Maxim Naumovich, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Organization of the Liberal Democratic Party**.
The hottest discussions concerned youth. It was noted that last year youth succumbed to information from destructive Telegram channels. However, this is also an oversight on the part of the BRSM, which worked conservatively and underestimated the influence of social networks. The issue of youth consumerism, unwillingness to work while receiving a lot of money, was also raised. A dispute also arose over who should be more responsible for educating children.
– Children do not know how to work, they do not know what creative labor is. The BRSM focuses on entertainment, and little attention is paid to the history of our country, the Great Patriotic War, in schools. One family will not achieve anything if it is not taught in school. Children go online, to Instagram, and they don't need anything else, – said Victoria Stepanova, a mother of two from Vitebsk, initiating the discussion.
– In the family, it is necessary to form the understanding that no one will give you anything for free if you are not active, – is convinced Yana Lapanovich, First Secretary of the Polotsk District Committee of the BRSM.
– Family is the most important thing. But we all must do our job responsibly, – added economist Anastasia Bobrova.
– In the current political situation, formalism in any matter is worse than betrayal, – emphasized Alexander Shpakovsky.
A new aspect that emerged at the forum was the socialization of entrepreneurship, which was highlighted by a trade union representative.
– There were also accents in other areas: constitutional development, integration issues, development of the political system, but some points were discussed in a new way here, and this is important, – Vadim Gigin emphasized. – Belarus is united and diverse, and our strength lies in this diversity. There is regional patriotism, but it does not overshadow our national unity. And traveling through the regions, we see that the Year of National Unity is not just a phrase, not just a slogan, but something that is filled with civic understanding and real political action. The main thing is not the problems we discuss, but the fact that we are not indifferent.
