Each age group in society has its own role and this is important in many different ways. Youth as a description of a sector of society has many definitions depending on the perspective being used. For the purposes of this discussion youth will be considered to be the stage of life involving transition into adulthood: approximately age 15 to 25.
Young people are often considered to represent the future as they bring new ideas and energy to add to the pool of knowledge that currently exists. They can bring enthusiasm and vitality which can lead to new discoveries and developments that can benefit society or even the world at large. Although not the only drivers of social change, young people are seen to be one the key drivers engendering change. Whether this is inherent in the beliefs of young people or the hope for the future is placed upon them by older generations is not clear. However, society is changing and developing, and this affects the lives of the people in varying degrees depending on their individual circumstances. Therefore, there are many new opportunities becoming available that can provide very different futures for today’s youth that were not available to previous generations.
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN BELARUS
There are a lot of youth organizations in Belarus. The most authoritative of them are: the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization (BRPO), the Belarusian Republican Union of Youth (BRSM), the Association of Belarusian Guides, the Belarusian Republican Scout Association. These activities are managed and directed by the State Committee on the Affaires of Youth. The most numerous youth organizations are the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization and the Belarusian Republican Union of Youth.
The Belarusian Republican Union of Youth (BRSM) was formed on the 2nd of September 2002 after the merger of two Belarusian youth organizations, the Belarusian Youth Union and the Belarusian Patriotic Youth Union. The Belarusian Youth Union had been considered the legal successor of the Komsomol branch in the Belarusian SSR. This organization works in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. Every young person at the age of 14 can join the BRSM.
The main aim of the BRSM is to create conditions for all-round development of young people and to contribute to creation of a civil society in Belarus. The main objectives of the organization are as follows:
· to promote patriotism;
· to create conditions for comprehensive development of youth;
· to fulfill its creative potential;
· to promote the development of the civil society in the Republic of Belarus based on patriotic and moral values;
· to form the world outlook, based on moral and spiritual, as well as Christian, values.
The Belarusian Republican Union of Youth and its members accomplish their goals and objectives in the following activities:
· they help young people to become integrated members of society;
· they elaborate and accomplish different educational, social and other youth programmes which do not contradict the present legislation of the Republic of Belarus;
· they render assistance in finding employment;
· they promote international youth cooperation;
· they attract the attention of the mass media and the state power to the problems and the initiatives of the youth;
· they organize conferences, meetings, lectures, exhibitions, concerts and competitions, charity and volunteering; camping, sporting events and visiting memorials; outdoor activities and sports, including football, running, swimming and hockey for young people.
The Belarusian Republican Union of Youth has an emblem and a flag. The symbol of the organization is the emblem based on the Komsomol badge and modeled on the Belarusian national flag.
Membership has more than 500,000 young people between 14 and 31 years old. Members of the BRSM have certain rights and duties and they can leave the organization at their own free will.
