Vitebsk was the first in Belarus to join the global network of learning cities. What are the benefits of this?
Tatyana Starinskaya, a deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and one of the coordinators of the "Vitebsk – Learning City" project, spoke about what other advantages Vitebsk residents will gain and about citizens' initiatives.
At the International Conference on Learning Cities, held in Beijing from October 21 to 23, 2013, a declaration was adopted that reflects the goals of the global project: through the unity of action of government and non-governmental organizations, private business, and ordinary citizens, to achieve sustainable urban development, and to create a harmonious, safe, and inclusive society.
– Tatyana Alexandrovna, what is the main idea of the project?
– A learning city is a living organism that develops continuously.
Residents, organizations, and, of course, local authorities must work together to improve the quality of life: this includes improving the environment and urban space, creating conditions for the implementation of creative ideas and projects, and strengthening social cohesion.
And importantly, education should be taken beyond the traditional institutions, providing opportunities for all segments of the population, regardless of age, to learn new things in order not to fall behind the times.
If previously an illiterate person was considered someone who could not read or write, then now it is someone who does not want to learn or retrain throughout their life.
There are all the prerequisites for development in Vitebsk: many courses are already open, attended by hundreds of students aged 18 to 82.
In addition to the Institute for Training and Retraining of Personnel, universities organize their own blitz courses.
They can also be organized at enterprises. At one of the meetings with work collectives in Vitebsk, I, as a deputy, touched upon this topic. And it turned out to be relevant. The management of the enterprise noted that cooperation with European firms is sometimes difficult due to a weak language base.
A first-class translator, invited from outside, often does not know the specifics of production, professional terminology, which is why difficulties arise. So why not, after a workday right at the enterprise, hold, for example, English language lessons, especially for employees of sales departments?
After all, it has already been noticed that a specialist who knows a foreign language and has knowledge of the production technologies of a specific enterprise conducts negotiations with foreign colleagues many times more successfully.
– How can enterprise management find qualified teachers for such training programs?
– The website of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee features a banner "Vitebsk – a learning city," which will eventually list all possible courses (paid and free) and events held in the regional center.
If additional information is needed, you can contact the project coordinators – me and the chairman of the City Council of Deputies, Vladimir Beleevich.
We will help find narrow-profile specialists. There are plenty of them in Vitebsk, but sometimes enterprise managers do not know about it and invite consultants from the capital. But everything is literally within walking distance.
Tatyana Starinskaya: Of course, the internet is useful for searching for information, but due to the overabundance of information, people very often do not find what they need
In a large stream of links and articles, a person gets lost and quickly loses interest in the desired object. Our task as project coordinators is to collect all contacts and information together. Of course, this database will be updated.
– Can we talk about the first results of the project implementation?
– The city is just beginning to move in this direction, but it is gratifying that people are responding. Public associations and organizations, as well as city residents, are not standing aside. Recently, someone always comes to the citizen reception with proposals and initiatives for the "Vitebsk – A Learning City" project.
Pensioners have expressed a desire to improve the Vitebsk Botanical Garden and the Park of the Soviet Army (Mazurino) by their own efforts.
For example, pensioners have expressed a desire to improve the Vitebsk Botanical Garden and the Park of the Soviet Army (Mazurino) by their own efforts: to help plant flowers and tree saplings, to improve recreation areas, and so on. It is evident that Vitebsk residents are not indifferent and want to make their city better.
– Does this mean that through education and upbringing, we are moving towards an understanding of what will be beneficial not only for a specific person or enterprise, but for the city as a whole?
– In many ways, yes. But education must closely interact with the spheres of culture and economy. Significant results can only be achieved in the unity of these three branches.
Let me give a common example: our compatriots sometimes do not shy away from not only failing to take trash bags to the container in the yard, but even throwing them out of windows. However, when abroad, they behave differently. And it's not because they respect foreign countries, but because there are hefty fines for such actions.
It is impossible to catch everyone red-handed. Therefore, in this case, the joint efforts of residents, authorities, and law enforcement officers are justified. A citizen punished financially will stop littering, the yards will become cleaner, and cleaning will no longer require additional costs: for example, there will be no need to hire garbage trucks at the residents' expense. In addition, the ecological space of each yard will become cleaner.
I want to emphasize: when every person learns to cherish the place where they live, as soon as their educational and cultural levels rise, it will immediately be reflected in the well-being of society.
– Besides financial, environmental, and cultural improvements, what else can Vitebsk gain from participating in this project?
– International partnership and city PR on the world stage. This, believe me, is worth a lot.
I will be frank, although as a patriot it is bitter for me to admit, Belarus is not as well-known in the world as European or even Asian countries.
When our compatriot, an outstanding athlete, Olympic champion Darya Domracheva, at the finish line of the biathlon relay in Pyeongchang, crossed the finish line with the Belarusian flag, Korean entrepreneurs began to take an interest in our state: where it is located and what it is famous for, whether it is possible to establish business ties with our business community. This is what this fragile woman did for Belarus – she sparked interest in our country.
Vitebsk's entry into the global network of learning cities (and there are 250 of them in 56 countries, I might add) is a great chance to make itself known.
The northern capital of Belarus has something to be proud of, and most importantly, it is associated with a world-famous name – Marc Chagall. It needs to be positioned and promoted as a brand by which we can be easily recognized.
Then, having become more acquainted with Vitebsk, foreigners will discover the names of other famous personalities and bright events of the city – the international arts festivals "Slavianski Bazaar" and modern choreography IFMC, etc.
In South Korea, for example, there are 44 learning cities; they are selected on a competitive basis, with strict requirements for obtaining this status. And the same is true in Germany. That is why it is very prestigious for Vitebsk to be among the chosen ones.
According to the Beijing Declaration, learning cities are open and a priori ready for interaction among themselves; they cannot refuse a delegation from another country to visit them and are obliged to organize a reception if such an application is submitted. Suppose a modern plant is built in Vitebsk. The most advanced equipment, which our industrial newcomer desperately needs, is produced in a European learning city.
The plant management informs the learning city coordinator about the desire to send a delegation to familiarize themselves with the equipment, who then contacts his foreign counterpart and arranges a visit.
Transportation expenses will be borne by the applicant, but any costs will be justified if the exchange of experience proves fruitful both economically and in terms of establishing personal connections.
– People don't always embrace innovations immediately and with open arms. Are there any difficulties in the initial stage of the project implementation?
– I won't be mistaken if I say that it's psychologically challenging. As you rightly noted, any innovation at the start evokes a mixed reaction from people, most often rejection and denial. "Learn again after obtaining two, or even three diplomas? We don't need this!" – many think so. However, a learning city is not only academic education but also so-called informal education.
Lately, a trend of professional burnout is often observed: after 5-10 years, work begins to seem mechanical and monotonous due to repeatedly performed similar operations. An employee who has lost interest in their work becomes less and less effective each year. And this is where various interest clubs can be useful.
One can take courses in smartphone programming, guitar playing, or wicker weaving – the list is endless.
The main thing for a person is to decide for themselves what they lack for a fulfilling life, which, besides work, will include hobbies that help switch to other activities and diversify the daily routine. A person who knows how to rest not only their body but also their soul not only automatically increases their work productivity but is also capable of generating creative ideas for the development of the enterprise and, consequently, the entire city as a whole.