Markevich: The Priority of the Union State's Work with Youth Is Their Patriotic Upbringing

In his speech, the Head of the Representative Office of the Standing Committee of the Union State in Minsk emphasized that the Forum of Regions is taking place in a year marked by a significant date – the 85th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War.

"The heroic pages of the defense of our common home convince us better than any words – we endured and won only because we fought and worked together, standing united against a common enemy. The generation of Belarusians and Russians that created the Union State 30 years ago understands well: our strength lies in unity, forged by centuries-old ties and modern experience of cooperation," said Anatoly Markevich.

He stressed that there are still many forces in the world that reject the independent path of development of Belarus and Russia and are waging a real war against the two states, using a wide arsenal ranging from economic sanctions to informational and cultural influence, with young people as their primary target. "Teaching our children and grandchildren to resist this spiritual expansion is the main task of youth policy. We have done a great deal to ensure that every young Belarusian and Russian can personally experience the benefits of living in the Union State. These include the rights to freedom of movement, employment, social support and medical care, children's health programs, and equal opportunities for citizens of our fraternal states to receive free education," Anatoly Markevich enumerated.

He recalled the successful development of the student construction team movement. Students from Belarus and Russia have worked together on the construction of the Belarusian NPP and the Republican Center for Patriotic Education of Youth at the Brest Fortress. Supporting such initiatives, according to Anatoly Markevich, helps shape socially active youth and future leaders who will develop this union and lead it forward. Attention is also focused on creating conditions for nurturing creative individuals. The Head of the Representative Office of the Standing Committee of the Union State in Minsk cited as vivid examples of care for young talent the festivals "Youth for the Union State," "Creativity of the Young," performances by the Belarusian-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra, and support for young performers at the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk."

"And, of course, the absolute priority of our work with young people is their patriotic upbringing. This goal is served by projects such as the 'Train of Memory,' military-patriotic and cadet camps, the creation of the Rzhev Memorial, the exhibition at the 'Buynichskoye Pole' museum, and the restoration of sites at the Brest Fortress, which are visited annually by thousands, tens of thousands of schoolchildren and students from our countries. It is through concrete actions like these that we raise true patriots – bearers of the values and ideals of the Union State. I am confident that this Forum and the work of its youth section will become not only a platform for exchanging experience but also a place where new ideas and interesting projects are born," concluded Anatoly Markevich.