The first regional forum "Local Self-Government in the Vitebsk Region: A Common Cause. Dialogue about the Future" was held in Vitebsk
Its agenda is multifaceted, but the main focus is on the exchange of experience, the opportunity to communicate, and to outline ways for further cooperation with Russian regions, as the forum is held on the "Day of the Union State" at the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" not by chance. The high representation of guests from Belarus and Russia was noted by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Dmitry Demidov, when opening the plenary session. The forum was attended by the State Secretary of the Union State, Sergey Glazyev, the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Igor Sergeenko, and members of the House of Representatives, heads of the Smolensk, Pskov regions, Karelia of the Russian Federation, and members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Belarus and Russia. Also participating in the forum were members of the Regional Council of Deputies, chairmen of city and district Councils of Deputies, rural settlement Councils, and members of the youth council under the Regional Council of Deputies.
Before the plenary session, forum participants visited the exhibition "I am Proud of My Motherland," where each city and district presented its region with great love. There was "juicy Belarusian language," witty jokes, product displays, tourist routes, and much more.
Thanks to this, guests gained a comprehensive understanding of our region. Opening the forum, Dmitry Demidov emphasized:
– The work of deputies is aimed at solving problematic issues of the population, assisting in the protection of citizens' rights and interests. Deputies are closest to the people, they meet with their constituents almost every day and know the issues that need to be addressed. The effectiveness of the work of the deputy corps at the local level determines the assessment of the work of the entire vertical of power, and this places a high responsibility on us.
Since 2019, a regional Association of Local Councils of Deputies has been operating in the region. In order to increase the effectiveness of its work, an executive directorate of the Association was created in February of the current year. One of its activities is organizing work on considering and supporting civil initiative projects, as well as monitoring their implementation and summarizing best practices. The work of territorial public self-government bodies and elders should be noted separately. These caring individuals do important work to improve the quality of life and comfort in their settlements, solve issues of landscaping, safety, organization of cultural events, and much more.
Igor Sergeenko noted the importance of strengthening interaction between authorities:
– We see our role at this forum as discussing issues of coordinating the activities of the House of Representatives deputies with local Councils, and issues of interaction in solving a number of problems. Our work in rural areas is built on three directions: citizens' appeals, studying law enforcement practice, and implementing civil initiatives. In the Vitebsk region, there are a number of successful examples of implementing initiatives that come from the population and from deputies. We expect to discuss ways to further improve our work and hear suggestions for amending legislation at this forum.
The Chairperson of the Orsha District Council of Deputies, Inna Khomutovskaya, the Chairperson of the Druya Rural Council, Anna Belyun, and the Member of the Council of the Republic, Chairperson of the Ushachi District Council of Deputies, Natalia Markovich, shared their experience in their territories. The Chairperson of the Youth Council under the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, Olga Mlyavaya, spoke about its activities.
A touching and solemn moment was the award ceremony for the winners of the video contest "My Council – My Pride," held for the first time by the Vitebsk Regional Association of Local Councils of Deputies. As a reminder, the first place was awarded to the Voropayevsky Rural Council of the Postavy District, the second place was shared by the Voronovsky Rural Council of the Vitebsk District and the Ivansky Rural Council of the Chashniki District, and the third place went to the Bychikha Rural Council of the Gorodok District and Novopolotsk. The work of the Kopyssky Rural Council of the Orsha District received a special prize from the regional organization of the Belarusian Union of Journalists.
During the forum, Cooperation Agreements were signed between the Association "Council of Municipalities of the Republic of Karelia" and the Vitebsk Regional Association of Local Councils of Deputies, and between the Pitkyaranta Municipal District of the Republic of Karelia and the Gorodok District.