Vorychava: Russian influence overshadows future of Belarusian youth

January 15, Pozirk. Marharyta Vorychava, the Belarusian opposition’s youth policy chief, has expressed concern about a Belarusian-Russian youth policy roadmap for 2025–2027, noting that Russian influence overshadows the future of Belarusian youth.
The document emphasizes unified civic-patriotic education and seeks to subordinate young people to the Union State ideology, she told Pozirk.
In this respect, she raised several issues.
Erosion of Belarusian culture: Russian influence may diminish Belarus’ unique identity, marginalizing its language and culture.
Economic dependence: joint professional development programs tie Belarusian youth to the Russian economy, limiting diversification and independence.
Youth policy as control: Russia uses youth policy to mobilize young people around government goals, with the Belarusian National Youth Union (BRSM) supporting war propaganda and ideological power.
Protests and repression: the 2020-2021 protests showed youth participation in political struggle, but independent movements face brutal repression.
Contrast with CoE standards: the roadmap’s priorities contrast with Council of Europe standards, which emphasize democratic participation, inclusiveness and youth empowerment.
The Belarusian education ministry and the Russian agency for youth affairs, Rosmolodezh, signed the road map in Moscow on December 16.
It envisages cooperation in civic-patriotic education, science, culture, employment, sports and tourism, in the information sphere and between pro-government public associations.
- EconomyŁukašenka wants tighter control over bank profitsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsKGB brands nine people as terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBody of presumed irregular migrant found in Lithuania near Belarus borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka reaffirms readiness to visit North KoreaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityIrregular Belarus-EU crossings exceed 35,000 since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁatuška disappointed Moldova’s Sandu received credentials from Belarus' envoyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: student persecuted for signing up for female leadership programThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityCzechia expels Belarusian diplomat suspected of spyingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyRabbi from Belarus killed in Jerusalem attackThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: losing Russia exports greatest problemThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyLabor ministry announces unlimited language test retakes for migrant workersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka names migration department headThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIljaš trial expert has failed to pinpoint specific false facts – journalistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsBNR Rada honors Ukraine volunteers on Military Glory DayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja calls for urgent action after regime critic’s death in prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, Society