Young Voices for Sustainable Development

The Festival was co-organized by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University and High School no. 19 and supported by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus.

“Sustainable Development Goals, their implementation and working with the youth are the major priorities of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. Achievement of any SDG wouldn’t be possible without adequate training and educational process. It isn’t only the level of knowledge or competence that determines the key factors of SDG achievement but also the formation of the personality in general. The personality with its moral principles and relevant values of sustainable development,” said Sergey Vasilets, BSPU vice-rector for academic affairs, who also stressed that BSPU was actively promoting the principles of education for sustainable development and supporting implementation of a wide range of international and national forums initiated by UN.

Speaking to the event participants, Ariel Ivanier, a Development Coordination Economist of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Belarus, said that innovative tools are a pillar that can contribute to spreading UN values and Agenda for Sustainable Development

2030.

In his speech he also emphasized the important role of partnerships that make UN work successful, including cooperation with the Belarusian Government, civil society organizations, business, academia, all mass media partners and the international donor community, of which educational institutions of all levels are also a crucial pillar in transmitting knowledge and raising awareness about sustainable development.

“I am certain that education, broadly understood as lifelong learning and self-realization process, is a transformational force, which is enhanced by the use of new technologies. Today’s agenda, by showcasing youth media products including video, posters, and information graphics will be a great contribution to your communities, and help them adopt sustainable lifestyles and, in the end, to create a more just, peaceful, tolerant , inclusive, secure and sustainable Belarus,” emphasized Mr. Ivanier.

In 2022, over 70 media projects such as video, posters, infographics prepared by young people from all regions of Belarus in six nominations, which represented the themes of sustainable development, climate change, inclusiveness and culture of remembrance, were submitted.

The undoubted favourite of the Festival and the winner of the audience choice award was the video entitled, “A Story of a Lonely Plastic Bag” created by Green Office team of BSPU students (Daria Danilchik, Elizaveta Rutskaya).

The Youth Media Festival is an annual meeting of students from educational institutions of all levels and NGO representatives, who develop media projects to promote 17 Sustainable Development Goals among various groups of population.