Polotsk has been selected as the Youth Capital of Belarus based on the results of a national competition, the press centre of the Ministry of Education informed BELTA.
Polotsk has been selected as the Youth Capital of Belarus based on the results of a national competition, the press centre of the Ministry of Education informed BELTA.
A total of 11 cities participated in the competition, with four reaching the final. "The cities were evaluated based on a number of criteria, including territory improvement, leisure opportunities, quality education, recreation, and others. Polotsk became the best in all areas for 2016, as well as for its plans for 2017," the press centre noted.
The first themed events will be held in Polotsk at the end of January. Throughout the year, the city will serve as a youth hub for national and international events: festivals, campaigns, projects, meetings, and conferences. Representatives of Belarusian and foreign students, pupils, and working youth from near and far abroad will participate.
The "Youth Capital of Belarus" competition is being held for the second consecutive year with the aim of developing state youth policy, creating a comfortable environment for youth self-realisation, identifying new ideas, and implementing innovative programmes related to youth participation in the political, economic, and cultural life of Belarus. The first capital was Baranovichi. The city hosted over 130 events of regional, national, and international significance: the international student forum "I Say Yes!", the national competition "Leader of the Year", the national open dialogue "The Role of Youth in the Development of the Country", and others.
The Ministry of Education is the organiser and initiator of the competition to select the national youth capital.