BELARUS STATE
ECONOMIC UNIVERSITY

19.06.2026

Svetlana Leonenko: "BGEU youth are bright individuals who are building the country's future."

The end of the academic year is traditionally a time to take stock. We focus on the long-standing and fruitful collaboration between the Belarusian State University of Economics and the Zavodskoy District Organization of the Belaya Rus NGO. We spoke with Svetlana Vladimirovna Leonenko, Chair of the Minsk Zavodskoy District Organization of the Belaya Rus NGO, about how student initiatives are transformed into real socially significant projects, how leaders' character is forged, and why patriotism isn't about loud slogans but daily work.
— Svetlana Vladimirovna, another academic year is coming to an end—time to take stock. How would you rate the collaboration between the Zavodskoy District Organization of Belaya Rus and BGEU during this period? What joint achievements of this year do you consider the most important?
— I consider our collaboration with the BGEU primary organization over the past six years to be exceptionally professional. This year has been a landmark one for you: BGEU has been deservedly recognized as the best primary organization among educational institutions. We have implemented numerous initiatives, and each one is the result of the tremendous work of the university's students and faculty. Without their involvement, none of our projects would have been so ambitious."
— BGEU is traditionally renowned for its active and proactive youth. Tell us about the most significant projects and events that Belaya Rus has implemented jointly with our university's students and faculty this year?
— This year, we launched the large-scale project "Unique Factory!" This forum is dedicated to our district and reveals its most unexpected sides. Speakers addressed the participants on five key topics: "Intellectual Factory," "Industrial Factory," "International Factory," "Sports Factory," and "Historical Factory." We immersed ourselves in the district's history, learned about its industrial achievements, intellectual potential, international connections, and sporting victories, and together we discovered how multifaceted and truly unique the Zavodskoy District is.
The youth project "Voice of Belaya Rus: Discovering New Facets of Heritage" is now in its fifth year of development. It has become an excellent platform for discovering talent, preserving traditions, and creating new meanings that resonate with the spirit of the times. Our organization always supports creative initiatives, and BGEU students embraced this project with great enthusiasm.
A special place in our work is occupied by the "All-Belarusian Debate League"—a dynamic platform for developing critical thinking, public speaking skills, and the ability to articulate one's point of view. Today, we have reached a new stage and are implementing the project "Boiling Point: When Words Become Weapons" in the Zavodskoy District. BGEU students are now acting as mentors, teaching the art of debate to schoolchildren and working youth. I'd also like to highlight the grant competition held by the Belaya Rus Regional Public Organization (RPO)—"The Experience of the Best of Belaya Rus – a Public Asset." This year, the recipients of these prestigious grants were Anastasia Bueva, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economics at BGEU, and Vladislava Shatilo, press secretary of our regional organization and a BGEU student.
And, of course, the "Golden Pen of Belaya Rus" creative writing competition is also worth mentioning. It's gratifying to note that BGEU authors regularly win awards and prizes not only at the regional, but also at the city and national levels.
— One of the key areas of your organization's work is civic and patriotic education. BGEU regularly hosts dialogue platforms and roundtables. What formats of communication with young people, in your opinion, are most effective today and resonate most with students?
— You're right. Over the years, we've held numerous dialogue platforms, campaigns, projects, and events. Young people actively supported the "Immortal Glory of the Great Victory" initiative of the Belaya Rus public organization and the international social and educational project "The Great Victory Unites Nations." These initiatives are designed to preserve historical memory, unite the Belarusian people, and strengthen friendly ties between countries. By engaging the new generation in learning the lessons of the past, these projects help everyone feel a sense of belonging to this great history. After all, true patriotism is not just love for the Motherland, but also a deep respect for shared memory and a desire to preserve peace.
Incidentally, our organization has been awarded a medal of the Russian Federation for the preservation of historical memory.
— Participation in community life is an excellent school for leadership. How does collaboration with Belaya Rus help future economists, marketers, and lawyers at BGEU hone their organizational and soft skills, which will be useful in their future careers?
— Community work is a true school of life. It teaches you how to interact with a wide variety of people, develops leadership skills, and helps you find innovative solutions. I would say it's an excellent investment in your future, which will definitely come in handy in your future career.
— You often interact with our youth at various district and city events. How do you envision a modern BGEU student—a member of "Belaya Rus"? What qualities do they possess?
— A modern student is a vibrant and multifaceted individual, striving to contribute to their country. They are active, talented, and critical thinkers, open to new knowledge and unafraid to express their point of view. But their most important quality is patriotism, which is demonstrated not by grandiose words, but by concrete actions. Today's youth sincerely share and understand the importance of preserving the national values ​​and traditions of our country.
— Successful community work in the faculties is impossible without the support of the university administration. How does your district organization interact with the BGEU administration and faculty? Is there a sense of continuity between generations and teamwork?
— I completely agree with you. Our partnership with the BGEU administration and faculty is not a formal exchange of reports, but a well-established, systemic approach aimed at solving the most complex educational and developmental challenges. Together, we develop student initiatives, help talented young people develop their potential, and organize landmark roundtables and dialogue platforms. It is precisely this coordinated teamwork that allows us to achieve such high results.
— Our university is actively developing its volunteer movement. Have BGEU activists participated in charity and social projects in the Zavodskoy district together with Belaya Rus? Who did the students help this year?
— You're right, volunteering is a crucial part of our work. The Zavodskoy district organization, together with the BGEU primary organization, implements numerous charity programs.
One of the most heartfelt initiatives this year is "A Light of Hope for Little Heroes: Belaya Rus at the Children's Oncology Center." My colleagues from the university immediately supported my idea. For us, this isn't just a gift-giving visit, but a true philosophy of kindness, designed to bring faith and warmth where they're needed most. When you see young patients smiling despite their serious illness, you realize how incredibly important such initiatives are.
Another important project is "Belaya Rus Brings Hope to Hospice." Its goal is to use the therapeutic power of music to ease pain, relieve stress, and improve the emotional well-being of people facing the most challenging life situations.
— The collaboration between BGEU and Belaya Rus has been a proven success for years, but we always want to move forward. Are there any new, perhaps experimental, formats or projects planned for the next academic year?
Absolutely. In the new academic year, we plan to emphasize interactive and game-based formats. I was delighted to support a wonderful initiative by our student youth—the "PRO Belarus" project. This is a large-scale marathon of themed intellectual games that will bring together schoolchildren, students, and working youth.
The main idea of ​​the project is not simply to broaden the participants' horizons, but to help them gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, economy, and modern achievements of our country through a lively, engaging format. Furthermore, it is an excellent platform for developing critical thinking, logic, teamwork, and constructive dialogue. "PRO Belarus" is a project about the unity of generations, shared goals, and a genuine interest in the future of our country. At the same time, we are already actively participating in the beautiful and profound project "Minsk and Minsk Women," which is being implemented under the leadership of the Minsk City Organization "Belaya Rus" in collaboration with the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. For us, this project is a true declaration of love for the capital and those who make it truly vibrant, welcoming, and progressive.
As part of this project, we tell the stories of amazing women whose names are inscribed in gold letters in the annals of Minsk. These are not only nationally renowned architects, doctors, and cultural figures, but also our wonderful BGEU professors and successful entrepreneurs. Each of them has made an invaluable contribution to the city's development. Through a series of biographical essays—from past centuries to the present day—we strive to highlight the great creative role of women in the development of our capital and dispel the stereotype that history is made only by men. We will definitely continue to develop this approach in the next academic year.
— BGEU is currently in a busy period—state exams and dissertation defenses. Many of our active members are leaving their alma mater. What would you like to wish this year's graduates, who will be joining our country's businesses and organizations tomorrow?
— I want to sincerely congratulate the graduates on this most important event—receiving a BGEU diploma! I wish you never to be afraid of challenges, because any obstacles only strengthen your character and make you stronger. Boldly set your most ambitious goals and confidently pursue them.
May your knowledge, talents, and creative energy work for the benefit of our beautiful Belarus. Never stop developing, because we learn throughout our lives—from wise mentors, colleagues, and each other. Dare, believe in your strengths, and boldly conquer new professional heights!