Across Continents and Cultures

From 15 to 17 May, the International Youth Forum “Friendship without Borders” brought together young people from 19 countries under one roof at the Zubrenok National Children’s Educational and Health Centre. Among the participants were students from 20 institutions of higher education, leaders of student self-government bodies, activists from student clubs of various profiles, and coordinators of international youth cooperation projects. The international team of the Belarusian State University of Foreign Languages, comprising students of the School of Translation and Interpreting alongside foreign students from the Republic of India and the Republic of Türkiye, also joined the Forum’s proceedings.

The Forum programme included such events as the “Creative Storm” ideas laboratory, the “Space of Trust” networking platform, the “Youth Diplomacy without Borders” presentation session, the “Stay Connected: Resources for Open Communication” media project, the “Dialogue of Projects, or Tomorrow Begins Today” initiatives congress, the “Credit-Worthy Starts” sports festival, the “Discover Our Roots” sightseeing programme, and other activities.

The international team of BSUFL presented the mentoring project “Tutors for Foreign Students”, developed at their home university, as well as the project “Step & Match”, co-developed with the Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University. The latter comprises a series of psychological training sessions designed for both Belarusian and international students.

The recently concluded International Youth Forum “Friendship without Borders” served as a vivid example of how open dialogue and the exchange of experience give rise to new meanings in youth policy. It is a space of opportunity for showcasing cultural and educational initiatives, where nationality bears no weight, and shared goals become the foundation for lasting bonds.