International cooperation

International cooperation is among the objectives of youth policy in our country as well. The existing agreements are aimed at establishing and developing relations with youth organizations of other countries, inclu­ding the CIS states. Our young people attend various forums and confe­rences at which they debate and exchange opinions on youth problems in different countries. Youth international contacts are important and we all understand that the future of our planet is with the young and we lay our best hopes on them.

Belarusian republican scout association

The National Scout Association of Belarus is one of several nationwide Scouting associations in Belarus. It was the body recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1998 to 2004.

Belarus Scouting history

The first Scout groups were established in Belarus in 1909 while it was part of tsarist Russia, and disbanded by the Soviets in 1922.

Belarusian Scouting was reborn and reorganized in 1989. The National Organization of Russian Scouts (NORS), based in Australia, is assisting the rebirth of Scouting in Belarus. Belarusian Scouts have regular contacts and exchanges with members of Scouts et Guides de France and the CIS Scout associations. Belaruskaya Natsianalnaya Skautskaya Asatsiyatsia, joined the World Organization of the Scout Movement effective March 13, 1998 as the Scout association representing Belarus.

The National Scout Association of Belarus (Белорусская республиканская скаутская ассоциация, formerly "Belaruskaya Natsianalnaya Skautskaya Asatsiyatsia", BNSA) is one of several nationwide Scouting associations in Belarus. It was the body recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1998 to 2004.

World Scouting News, March, 1998, reported "The Belarusian National Scout Association includes more than 7,500 members, both boys and girls, in three branches ranging from 8 to 17 years of age. They are spread all over the country but the majority of members come from the major cities."

"In December 1991, a national coordinating committee was set up under the aegis of WOSM in order to promote the unification of the various Scout Associations which appeared in different parts of the country. Scouting grew steadily with support from the Christian Orthodox Church as well as the Youth Commission of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus." In March 1997, as a result of a long process of reconciling divergent nationalistic trends in Scouting, a constituent assembly was held in Minsk. This assembly approved the creation of a united National Scout Association.

World Scouting News, further reported "The Belaruskaya Natsianalnaya Skautskaya Asatsiyatsia regularly invites underprivileged children, some of them coming from the Chernobyl contaminated areas, to some of their national summer camps."

The Scouts et Guides de France are working with Scouting in Belarus. Guidisme et Scoutisme en Belgique/Gidsen- en Scoutsbeweging in België has provided support in the region of the city of Homyel.

A 2005 count of the Belaruskaya Natsianalnaya Skautskaya Asatsiyatsia sets membership at 3,408. The Scout Motto is "Napagatovye", translating as "Be Prepared" in Belarusian, and "Bud' Gotov", translating likewise in Russian. The Belarusian noun for a single Scout is Скаут.

The membership badge of the Belaruskaya Natsianalnaya Skautskaya Asatsiyatsia incorporates the Patriarchal cross of Eastern European iconography.