Thematic evening “Culture, Youth and International Cooperation” was held in Geneva
21.10.2016On 19 October 2016 the Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) held the thematic event “Culture, Youth and International Cooperation”.
The event was dedicated to the celebration of the Year of Culture of Belarus in 2016 and the 70th UNICEF anniversary.
The event’s participants were heads of diplomatic missions of Central and Eastern European and CIS countries, representatives of the United Nations Office at Geneva and the UNICEF Regional Office.
The Permanent Representative of Belarus Yury Ambrazevich presented the main directions of the state policy in the field of culture and youth. A particular emphasis was placed on tools to support young talents and the institution of the family. Yury Ambrazevich urged present diplomats and international officials to intensify joint efforts in order to promote these issues in agendas of international organizations, and briefed them on the development of the relevant Belarusian initiatives within the United Nations.
UNICEF representative praised the cooperation of the Republic of Belarus and the United Nations Children’s Fund, drew attention to the achievements of Belarus in the field of support for mothers and children, in particular, to one of the world’s lowest rates of maternal and infant mortality.
Separately he provided information on the UNICEF Country Programme for Belarus for 2016-2020. During the coming years UNICEF’s efforts will be aimed at assisting the Government of Belarus in four main areas: the creation of a safe and supportive environment for the child, the rights of children with special needs and disabilities, the creation of a favorable environment to reduce the vulnerability of young people and their full participation in decision-making, the examination of children’s situation and strengthening partnership for the implementation of children's rights. It is expected that UNICEF will mobilize for this purpose more than 8 million dollars of international technical assistance.
A key element of the event was the performance of the young Belarusian pianist Vladislav Handogiy, fellow of the special fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the support of the talented youth, winner and laureate of international competitions.
