An open dialogue between representatives of student detachments, authorities, and public organizations was held in Vitebsk.

An open dialogue was held in Vitebsk between representatives of student teams, winners of the city stage of the republican youth innovation project "100 Ideas for Belarus", and representatives of authorities and public organisations.

As noted by Tatyana Krasakova, First Secretary of the Vitebsk City Committee of the BRSM, the topic of youth policy, as demonstrated by previous dialogue platforms, of which there have been about 20, has shown a keen interest and serious initiative from participants. Across the country, concerned citizens, including the most active youth, are putting forward 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.

Great 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 is a separate subject, certain difficulties will arise with the 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.

Viktor Glushin, Deputy Chairman of the City Executive Committee, has a slightly different vision for solving this issue. He is convinced that every subject and its content are important in the educational process, but here it is necessary to work differently. One cannot come to a lesson and say: "Children, love your homeland!". Patriotism can be instilled through the study of Belarusian poetry, painting, and music by domestic composers.

The dialogue platform demonstrated the extent to which modern youth are interested in and wish 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 instance, new contests and projects from BRSM were discussed, the student team movement was touched upon, and new directions of work, the creation of IT teams, and a unified vacancy database for students were talked about. A proposal was made to establish a new type of youth development centre where they could realise their potential, meet, and simply socialise. Representatives of the younger generation stated that they have initiatives they wish to participate in and are ready to implement. However, in some cases, they require financial, legal, or advisory assistance.

The volunteer movement was not forgotten either. The issue of stray animals concerns modern youth. In this regard, experts were asked a question: is it possible to introduce administrative liability for people abandoning their pets, with the fines being redirected, for example, to a shelter for stray animals?

Vladimir Beleevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Council of Deputies, recalled that criminal liability is currently provided for the cruel treatment of animals. In theory, administrative liability could also be introduced. However, this would entail a number of other issues: who would be responsible for tracking these offences, and whose powers would include the imposition of administrative penalties. Although the issue is relevant, and there is indeed food for thought.

Overall, 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 organisations recognised as the best in the third working semester of 2020 were awarded.