Vladimir Penin: strong regions and social guarantees are the main guidelines of the Constitution
Dialogue platforms, round tables, meetings in work collectives – the draft of the updated Constitution is being actively discussed in the country. The Basic Law has become more modern, adapted to the current economic, political, and social situation. How important and necessary are the innovations? Correspondent of "R" discussed this topic with Vladimir Penin, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
The Right to a Decent Standard of Living
— Vladimir Petrovich, what main feature of the draft Constitution would you highlight?— Its social orientation. The Constitution was and remains socially oriented; all rights and guarantees of the country's citizens have been preserved. This applies to education, healthcare, culture, and social protection. This is important: due to demographic features, the number of elderly people is increasing every year, especially in rural areas. They require special attention and support. In general, the Vitebsk region's budget for 2022 is calculated in such a way that 69 percent of funds will be allocated to the social sphere. But one should not think that all benefits will come by themselves. The Constitution is not a document that grants privileges. The socio-economic development of the country and the region depends on each of us. It is not for nothing that Article 21 of the draft Basic Law emphasizes that we all have the right to a decent standard of living, including adequate food, clothing, housing, and the continuous improvement of the necessary conditions for this. But it is supplemented by a separate line: "Everyone must show social responsibility and make a feasible contribution to the development of society and the state." This is quite logical and natural.
— Another new article, number 32, has appeared in the draft Constitution. How would you comment on it?
— Article 32 outlines guarantees for youth. The state undertakes to promote the spiritual, moral, intellectual, and physical development of young people, and to create the necessary conditions for their free and effective participation in public life and realizationand potential for the benefit of the entire society. But there is nothing new in this – it is simply an official consolidation of a long-standing system of state care for the future of the younger generation. Judge for yourself: over the past five years alone, dozens of major facilities have been built in the Vitebsk region – schools and kindergartens in Orsha, Postavy, and the new Vitebsk microdistrict Bilevo. Modern multidisciplinary sports and recreation centers have appeared in Ushachi, Liozno, and Babinichi, Orsha district. A sports and recreation center will soon open in Chashniki and Glubokoye. And what about the unique Trampoline Jumping Center, commissioned in Vitebsk about three years ago! There is also a significant reserve for the future – another new kindergarten is being built in Orsha, a kindergarten and a school in Vitebsk, and a cadet school in Polotsk. The healthcare infrastructure is also being updated at a rapid pace – the new polyclinic in the Yug-7 microdistrict of the regional center is in high demand, and a large-scale reconstruction of the hospital in Markovshchina is being completed here. An excellent hospital has been built in Miory. On the eve of the New Year, new buildings of the medical rehabilitation center for disabled people and veterans of combat operations in other states, as well as the psychoneurological dispensary of the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, were commissioned. In Orsha, medical staff and patients are delighted with the comfortable conditions for diagnosis and treatment in the new building – the Semashko Hospital. Currently, a polyclinic is being built in this city…
The list can go on for a long time, but please note that new facilities are increasingly being celebrated not only in large cities but also in the provinces. This is a wonderful trend. The updated Constitution guarantees all citizens equal rights and opportunities for development, education, employment, and innovation. Regardless of their place of residence. This is also emphasized in the country's socio-economic development program for the five-year period. Strong regions and patriotism are the key to Belarus's prosperity.
Patriotism is a condition for the country's sovereignty
— Why, in your opinion, do we increasingly emphasize the need to educate children in the spirit of patriotism today?— Yes, the draft Constitution pays attention to this issueбое внимание. Не случайно. Внутриполитические события, напрямую связанные с внешними угрозами, попытки переписать славную историю военных лет и обелить нацизм показали: пробелов в этом плане быть не должно. Именно поэтому патриотизм становится непременным условием сохранения независимости и суверенитета нашей страны. И очень хорошо, что Основным Законом прописана двухстороння ответственность. Государство обеспечивает сохранение исторической правды и памяти о героическом подвиге белорусского народа в годы Великой Отечественной войны. А долг каждого гражданина Республики Беларусь — быть патриотом, не забывать о героизме своих предков. Помните крылатое выражение? В соответствии с житейской мудростью человек, а значит и народ, не помнящий родства своего, обречен на погибель. История — это не просто прошлое. Это основа, на которой строится будущее. И если этот фундамент дает трещину — нужно срочно принимать меры.
Насильно патриотизму не научишь. Это не черта характера, это образ жизни и мышления. Поэтому так велика роль правильного воспитания. Хочу привести пример: на территории Витебской области свыше 1,5 тысячи воинских захоронений, памятников и мемориалов. Ежегодно к нам приезжают российские поисковики, которые вместе с белорусами проводят раскопки на месте бывших боев и возвращают из небытия сотни советских солдат. Среди взрослых участников экспедиции есть и школьники — московские кадеты. Они уже наладили отношения со своими полоцкими сверстниками. Готовится к заключению соглашение о совместном проведении таких патриотических акций. Вот это живые и искренние уроки настоящей истории.
— Одна история разных народов — одна память и общее стремление к миру и добрососедству?
— Бесспорно. И что очень важно в современных реалиях, в будущей Конституции подчеркнута исключительно миролюбивая политика нашего государства. Статьей 18 мы исключаем какую бы то ни было военную агрессию со своей территории в отношении других государств. А вот к созидательному сотрудничеству всегда готовы. А в случае необходимости окажем поддержку тем, кто в этом нуждается. Статьей 12 четко прописано: Республика Беларусь может предоставлять право убежища ин
attention. Not by chance. Internal political events directly related to external threats, attempts to rewrite the glorious history of the war years and whitewash Nazism have shown that there should be no gaps in this regard. That is precisely why patriotism is becoming an indispensable condition for preserving the independence and sovereignty of our country. And it is very good that the Fundamental Law enshrines bilateral responsibility. The state ensures the preservation of historical truth and memory of the heroic feat of the Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War. And the duty of every citizen of the Republic of Belarus is to be a patriot, not to forget the heroism of their ancestors. Do you remember the famous saying? In accordance with life wisdom, a person, and therefore a people, who does not remember their roots, is doomed to perish. History is not just the past. It is the foundation on which the future is built. And if this foundation cracks, urgent measures must be taken.
Patriotism cannot be taught by force. It is not a character trait, it is a way of life and thinking. Therefore, the role of proper upbringing is so great. I want to give an example: on the territory of the Vitebsk region, there are over 1.5 thousand military burial sites, monuments, and memorials. Every year, Russian searchers come to us, who, together with Belarusians, conduct excavations at the sites of former battles and bring back hundreds of Soviet soldiers from oblivion. Among the adult participants of the expedition are schoolchildren – cadets from Moscow. They have already established relations with their peers from Polotsk. An agreement on joint patriotic actions is being prepared for conclusion. These are living and sincere lessons of true history.
— One history of different peoples – one memory and a common aspiration for peace and good neighborliness?
— Undoubtedly. And what is very important in modern realities, the future Constitution emphasizes the exclusively peace-loving policy of our state. With Article 18, we exclude any military aggression from our territory against other states. But we are always ready for constructive cooperation. And if necessary, we will provide support to those who need it. Article 12 clearly states: the Republic of Belarus may grant asylum to
— What constitutional innovations would you also highlight?
— I think the document turned out to be clear, concise, and extremely transparent. It outlines not only the rights and guarantees of citizens but also their duties. Many changes are simply a requirement of our time.
For example, the information sphere is currently developing at a rapid pace, so the additions to Article 28 are very relevant — the state creates conditions for the protection of personal data, the security of individuals and society when using them. It is also time to adjust the functions and powers of the courts, the Government, and the Parliament.
But what is especially important in the draft Constitution is the role of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, which becomes the highest form of democracy. And today, we must all understand: the opportunity to participate in resolving state issues through deputies is not just a formal honor. It is a special trust. And the highest responsibility of each person for the future of our native country.