Dmitry Demidov spoke with the children at the "Lipki" health camp about idols, success, and the future of the country.

Every such meeting with young people is always a dialogue full of unexpected questions, sincere emotions, and lively interest. This opinion was shared by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Chairman of the regional organization RPO "Belaya Rus" Dmitry Demidov during his visit to the educational and health camp "Lipki" near Vitebsk.

For five years now, the popular information and educational project "A Step to Success" has been bringing together prominent state figures, athletes, and opinion leaders on one platform to show the younger generation through personal examples what it takes to achieve their goals.

The young people asked about what truly concerns them: how to become successful, who to look up to, what to do about stray animals, and what they envision for the future of Belarus.

– Every meeting with young people has its own peculiarities. The young people are absolutely different, but they are all united by sincerity, – said Dmitry Demidov. – They are actively interested in what is happening in the country, the region, the city, and in public processes. Caring and the desire to make their small homeland better is a characteristic of every young person. And we must support this impulse. Working and communicating with young men and women, you always get charged with positive energy.

The dialogue began with a simple but meaningful question: what does the word "success" mean to the young people themselves? Each of them gave their own definition: career, development, money, the feeling that life is not lived in vain.

One of the first questions asked of Dmitry Demidov was whether he had a role model. He admitted that as a child, he looked up to real people, not screen heroes.

– In Soviet times, we didn't have Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, or other iconic heroes. We had our own people, our countrymen, our grandfathers who fought in the Great Patriotic War. We were raised on the examples of heroes, we visited memorial sites. I didn't have a role model as such. I looked up to my uncle – a submarine hero, a sailor, – answered the head of the regional parliamentary corps.

To the question about civic stance and public activities, Dmitry Demidov answered simply and wisely:

– I will tell you sincerely, as a father: first, become a professional in your field. For public work, you need life experience, the ability to communicate with people, and an understanding of processes. Without a foundation of knowledge, you won't be able to make the right decisions.

The youth were also interested in the speaker's presence on social media. Dmitry Demidov said that he uses various channels to communicate with people: Telegram, Instagram, holds personal meetings, meets with groups, and conducts hotlines.

The guys asked about pets. Dmitry Demidov has a cat, but admits that his daughter takes care of it more.

The guys also asked about stray animals.

– This is not a problem of animals, but of people. I am extremely negative towards those who take pets and then abandon them, – Dmitry Demidov stated categorically. – Laws have now been developed that oblige owners to bear responsibility for those they have tamed: registration, microchipping, etc.

He urged the youth not to pass by: if you see a stray animal, you can help find an owner, become a volunteer, or support shelters.

– The main thing is not to be indifferent. We have public organizations that are involved in this. They always need help, – he said.

At the meeting, Dmitry Demidov shared that in his childhood he dreamed of becoming a sailor, like his uncle. He planned to enter a naval college, but after the collapse of the USSR, his plans changed. He became an economist and graduated from the Novopolotsk Polytechnic Institute.

There were questions about favorite songs, performers, and books.

– I love classic Russian rock, – Dmitry Demidov shared. – I heard the song "Brest Fortress" performed by the band Motor roller (Kazakhstan), written by Ilyas Autov, on the internet. I had a goal to meet him. And I succeeded, – said Dmitry Demidov.

I have many favorite books; at different ages, I was drawn to different authors – from Alexander Pushkin to Mikhail Bulgakov, from Alexandre Dumas, Jack London to Lev Gumilyov.

– Read books, they are a treasure trove of generations' experience. Do not ignore this process; it helps you grow and broaden your horizons, – advised the speaker.

The young people also learned that Dmitry Demidov enjoys fishing – since childhood, when his grandfather first took him fishing. He also has a license to operate small vessels.

They also discussed the complexities of parliamentary work, the future, and the present of the country.

Concluding the meeting, Dmitry Demidov urged young people to study, work, and not be indifferent.

– Success is the sum of small steps. Do not expect someone to come and do it for you. You need to study well, get a profession, and work conscientiously. And then we will achieve common success – both personal and national, – he concluded.