2015 declared Year of Youth in Belarus

The year 2015 has been declared the Year of Youth in Belarus. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed the relevant decree on 16 October.

The document is designed to develop creative, scientific, and professional potential of young people, get them involved in social and economic changes in Belarus, and foster the feeling of patriotism and civic responsibility among young citizens.

The government has been instructed to work together with the oblast administrations and the MinskCity Hall to develop and approve a national action plan for carrying out the Year of Youth events in 2015.

As of early 2014 there were 2.185 million people aged 14-31 inBelarus or 23.08% of the country’s total population.

Dealing with the problems that concern young Belarusians is part of the state policy in the area of social, economic, cultural, and national development of the country. The declaration of the year 2015 as the Year of Youth will draw more attention of government agencies and the general public to matters relevant for the implementation of the main directions of the state youth policy in Belarus.