An open dialogue was held in Vitebsk between representatives of student detachments, authorities, and public organizations
As noted by Tatyana Krasakova, First Secretary of the Vitebsk City Committee of the BRSM, the topic of youth policy, as shown by previous dialogue platforms, of which there have been about 20, has demonstrated the participants' keen interest and serious initiative. Throughout the country, concerned citizens, including the most active youth, are expressing proposals for changes in state policy.
The outcome of the dialogue platform's work was dozens of proposals concerning a wide range of issues, from constitutional reform to the sphere of state youth policy.
Significant attention was also paid to patriotic education. A proposal was made to introduce thematic lessons in the 9th grade.
– This issue is very important, but it needs to be considered from different perspectives. If it becomes a separate subject, certain difficulties will arise with curriculum, textbooks, etc. However, a solution can be found in extracurricular activities, and patriotic education should begin as early as the first grade, – noted Olga Volkova, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work of the Vitebsk Regional Institute for the Development of Education.
Deputy Chairman of the City Executive Committee Viktor Glushin has a slightly different view on solving this issue. He is convinced that every subject and its content are important in the educational process, but here one needs to work differently. You cannot come to a lesson and say: "Guys, love your homeland!". Patriotism can be instilled through the study of Belarusian poetry, painting, and music by domestic composers.
The dialogue platform showed how interested modern youth are and how they want to participate in the life of the region and the country. It was also pleasing that the young men and women came not with negativity and criticism, but with concrete proposals. For example, they discussed new contests and projects from BRSM, touched upon the student team movement, and talked about new directions in work, the creation of IT teams, and a unified database of vacancies for students. A proposal was made to organize a new type of youth development center where they could realize their potential, meet, and simply communicate. Representatives of the younger generation stated that they have initiatives they want to participate in and are ready to implement. However, in some cases, they need financial, legal, or consulting assistance.
They also did not forget about the volunteer movement. The problem of stray animals concerns modern youth. In this regard, the experts were addressed with a question: is it possible to introduce administrative responsibility for people abandoning their pets, and redirect the fines, for example, to a shelter for stray animals?
Chairman of the Vitebsk City Council of Deputies Vladimir Beleevich recalled that criminal liability is currently provided for animal cruelty. In theory, administrative liability could also be introduced. However, this would entail a number of other issues: who would be responsible for tracking these offenses, and whose powers would include imposing administrative penalties. Although the issue is relevant, and there is indeed something to think about.
In general, a wide range of topics was covered at the dialogue platform. It is gratifying that young people have their own vision on many issues.
At the end of the event, the winners of the city stage of the republican project "100 Ideas for Belarus", the best student teams, commanders and commissars, as well as the headquarters of educational institutions and territorial committees of the BRSM public association, and host organizations recognized as the best in the third labor semester of 2020 were awarded.