The regional civil-patriotic marathon "United" started at the Vitebsk branch of the International University "MITSO"
Participants in the events held at the Vitebsk branch of "MITSO" included students and the teaching staff of the university, as well as students from Vitebsk Secondary School No. 17 named after I. Bumagin. They were met by the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, who acted as an expert in the open dialogue "Youth Perspective. Elections".
But first, the head of the region was introduced to the university's capabilities. The guest visited the forensic laboratory, the logistics center, and other specialized classrooms that make student training more practice-oriented. Then Alexander Subbotin joined the "#United" marathon events. Since the republican youth information and educational project "Pashthouka.BEL" was launched in the Vitebsk region within its framework, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee also did not stand aside – he signed and dropped a stylized card "We are choosing the future together!" into the mailbox. He sent an invitation to the elections to Veronika Yukhnovets, a "MITSO" student, an activist of the BRSM, and a prize-winner of the regional round of the "Student of the Year" competition. This girl will be voting for the first time, and, of course, she is determined to come to the polling station. By the way, Veronika preferred to keep it a secret for now who she intends to send a postcard to within the framework of the "Pashthouka.BEL" project.
All forum participants, having tied ribbons in the colors of the national flag, also joined the republican patriotic campaign "Rodnae — Narodnae" ("Native — National"), which is aimed at popularizing the state symbols and culture of Belarus. The next stage of the meeting was an open dialogue, where the chairman of the regional executive committee thoroughly and sincerely answered numerous questions received from the audience. They asked about various things. Alexander Subbotin shared his opinion on what qualities elected officials should possess and why the participation of youth in the electoral campaign is so important. He spoke about what qualities of candidates for deputies he himself pays attention to as a voter. According to the head of the region, when getting acquainted with the contenders for deputy mandates, he first of all studies the person's work path and assesses how successful they are in their professional activities. However, among the candidates for deputies, there are quite a few young people, noted the chairman of the regional executive committee. And even if they usually don't have much experience, they have enough energy and a desire to change the world for the better. During the election campaign, one should also look at how a person behaves in communication, believes Alexander Subbotin. It is important that the candidate is not arrogant and does not make empty promises.
Not all questions concerned the topic of elections. They also talked about many other things: from the significance of information presence in social networks to plans for the improvement of Vitebsk.
As part of the marathon opening, the university presented a quiz on electoral law "#Edinyi" ("United"). In addition, some students joined the youth project "Azbuka Grazhdanina. Versiya 4.0" ("Citizen's Alphabet. Version 4.0"). Its goal is to familiarize future voters with the specifics of the upcoming electoral campaign, as well as to draw attention to the main changes in the election process. In the form of a business game, the participants could check and consolidate their knowledge, and better understand who and how they will elect in 2024.
Thematic meetings and informational pickets will be held in different regions of the Dvina region until the unified voting day. The marathon is organized by the Main Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, as well as the regional committee of the NGO "BRSM".
Anastasia KLIMOVSKIKH, a 2nd-year student at the Vitebsk branch of "MITSO":
— I think that events like this marathon are very important for young people to approach elections more responsibly. I will be voting for the first time this year. I believe it is a very important matter. Before, when I was a child, I went to the polling station with my parents, and it was quite interesting for me. Now, I will have to make a choice on my own.