Belarus President names talented youth national asset

Belarus has created every condition for developing skills and talents of young people, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with winners of international academic competitions, art contests and festivals, awardees of the President’s special foundations for the social support for gifted students and talented youth on May 31. The President’s press service told BelTA, at present major efforts are exercised across the country to create conditions for intellectual, physical and spiritual development of the young generation. Both the country’s leadership and public organisations pay special attention to gifted children. According to Alexander Lukashenko, the fact is proved by the successful accomplishment of the programme Belarus Young Talents. More than half of Belarusian school students get various forms of education fine-tuned to the degree of their academic excellence. They can study at 165 gymnasiums and 36 lyceums. There are many specialist classes and classes offering advanced training in certain subjects. Over half a million young Belarusians take part in national academic competitions every year. Belarusian teams excel at international academic competitions and tournaments. Between 1990 and 2006 286 Belarusian school students won medals at these prestigious competitions. The President noted, today Belarus has over half a thousand children’s art schools as well as art universities, vocational schools and colleges. State production centres in Minsk and regions of the country are being set up. Last year over 200 young talents became laureates of international and national contests and festivals. Alexander Lukashenko named Andrei Kunets’ and Dmitry Koldun’ performance at Eurovision Song Contest significant creative achievements. “The Belarusian contestants displayed not only their talents, but outstanding professional capabilities and, most of all, the true fighting spirit. Millions of people in Belarus and the entire Europe liked their performance”, said the head of state. The President underscored, the state leadership recognises successes the youth make. In 2006 the President’s special foundations commended over 1,700 students, professors and scientists, over 200 artistic youths and 18 music groups. The President’s special foundation for supporting talented youth works hard to raise the future elite of the Belarusian nation. Last year saw Br677 million appropriated for the purpose, including Br274 million in scholarships, prizes, grand bonuses and other individual incentives. All in all, last year the foundation provided support to 223 people and 18 music groups, with the laureate title given to 39 talented youths and eight music groups. For the eleven years of the existence of the President’s special foundation for social support for gifted students over 14,000 students, professors and other people, who made a personal contribution to raising the talented youth, have received financial support. Following an order by the head of state, databanks of laureates and scholarship holders of the President’s foundations were set up. The destiny of the registered young Belarusians is kept track of. Information about them is handed over to top executives of Belarus’ largest companies and state-run enterprises. The move creates the necessary prerequisites for exploring the potential of talented Belarusians to the full extent. According to the President, a nation’s weal is determined primarily by its creative potential, an ability to create cultural values, to build up science and manufacturing fast. Addressing participants of the meeting, the head of state underlined, “Your success and your talents are a national asset, a true gold reserve of the country”. Alexander Lukashenko noted, the role of selfless professionals and true patriots is invaluable for the spiritual and intellectual evolution of the nation. “Commending successes of our youth today, we pay tribute to your capabilities and believe in your future road to the genuine mastery and service for the Fatherland”, he said. The President called upon gifted students to treat their seniors and mentors, who had helped forge the road to the victory, with respect and to fight the star sickness. “Remember that one’s talent is made up of 10% of inborn abilities and 90% of hard labour. Only incessantly improving yourself, will you be able to reach genuine mastership in your chosen trade”, stressed Alexander Lukashenko. The President said, the state must be a reliable support for a gifted person on his way to success. The more we invest in culture and science today, the better we will live tomorrow, said Alexander Lukashenko. “Belarus loves you and respects you. I have a lot of hope the love will be mutual. Work for the good of the beloved Motherland — you will have no other”, the head of state told participants of the meeting. Alexander Lukashenko congratulated students on the landmark event in their lives and awarded them certificates and lapel badges of the head of state’s special foundations for the support for gifted students and talented youth as well as letters of thanks of the President of the Republic of Belarus. A concert by laureates of the Belarus President’s special foundation for the support for talented youth took place after the ceremony.