OVERHEAD
TRAIN TO THE FUTURE The Republican youth train "#BelarusYouthUnity" created as a result of the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia has covered 2,000 kilometres all over Belarus this summer. Its participants – students, working and rural young people, young deputies, volunteers, teachers, bloggers, and the SDC youth ambassadors – spent seven days in the thematically decorated carriages visiting various parts of Belarus. With the sound of wheels they discussed various pressing issues: from patriotic education of youth to implementation of socially significant initiatives. Residents of Novosibirsk Region of Russia, as well as Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, also took part in the project. So, the project can be safely called international.
Its organizers – including the Ministry of Education, Minsk City Executive Committee, Belarusian Railways, and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union – say the project was born spontaneously. Several years ago, during the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, the participants suddenly had an idea: why not to travel by rail from Brest to Vladivostok? However, when the summer of 2020 came, it became clear that this voyage would not become international for the time being. But it will be a republican one. So the first youth train called "#BelarusYouthUnity"
28
БЕЛАРУСЬ.BELARUS AUGUST 2021
started its seven-day journey through all the regions of Belarus on July 17, 2020. Why? It was decided in this non-standard way to contribute to unification of the youth of the Union State. And, of course, to influence the formation of a positive image of the country, to raise the civil and patriotic spirit of youth. That is, in fact, the main idea and the super task of the project. Any adult Belarusian under 31 could take part in the second Republican Youth Train this year. It was enough to apply and describe one's achievements in education,
science, sport, culture, or social activities. There were 200 applications, of which 100 participants were selected. Among others was Viktoriya Mekhedko, Deputy Chairperson of the national creative youth public association "Promotion of Youth". This organisation is dedicated to developing the creative potential of young people, and aims to involve them as much as possible in the social life of the country. And also to inculcate a love of their homeland, and to honour traditions. An important role, according to Victoria, they give to the preservation of historical
