Today, June 18, an open dialogue with university students and staff was held in the new academic building of the Power Engineering Faculty of the Belarusian National Technical University as part of the Unified Information Day. Igor Karpenko, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus, spoke at the event, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War.
A BNTU delegation, led by Rector Sergei Kharitonchik, met Igor Vasilyevich and gave him a tour of the new building of the Power Engineering Faculty, which served as a platform for dialogue with young people.
Before beginning his speech, Igor Karpenko outlined why BNTU was chosen for the discussion on preserving historical truth and what needs to be conveyed to the students:
– They are technical specialists, and a good technical specialist cannot be a successful scientist without a humanities background. Education is aimed at ensuring that specialists are harmoniously developed and possess professional knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as an understanding of the overall social and historical development. The war, when viewed from the perspective of each individual, reveals that there are relatives who either fought, fought as partisans, or suffered under the occupation regime. Indeed, this is a topic that unites Belarusians like no other. It is crucial for us that the younger generation also knows all this. I don't think we'll be discussing global scientific research today, although it is currently underway, including on the genocide of the Belarusian people, and new facts are emerging. We need to discuss this from a personal perspective, through our families, our loved ones, our relatives – those we remember and hold in closer regard than abstract historical facts. Therefore, this topic is crucial for the cohesion of Belarusian society, for the preservation and development of our statehood, and for ensuring sovereignty and security.
The speaker explored the topic of patriotism through his own family history and warm memories of his mentors. He showed archival photographs of relatives who had lived through the war and recounted the heroism of his grandmother, who, under the most difficult conditions, single-handedly raised and raised three children. The CEC Chairman paid special attention to his teachers who served at the front. Returning from the battlefield, they created strong schools of thought and passed on their knowledge to new generations, proving that true patriotism is measured by concrete actions and devotion to one's land.
The second part of the Unified Information Day was held in the format of an open mic, where attendees were able to ask the guest any questions they might have. Thus, in response to the question of how the new generation can contribute to the preservation of historical memory, Igor Karpenko responded that the first and most important step for every young person should be studying their own family history and passing on this truth to future generations.
Furthermore, the speaker noted that in an era of colossal information overload, teachers become students' primary guides, helping them find reliable facts and develop critical thinking.
The Chairman of the Central Election Commission also offered practical advice on working with today's youth. He emphasized the need to be as open and sincere as possible when communicating with students, avoiding overt insincerity and playing fast and loose. A teacher, he explained, is not only a transmitter of professional knowledge but also a broad-minded person capable of building a trusting dialogue.
The final question was from Sergei Kharitonchik about the root causes of global historical conflicts and the clash of ideologies. In his response, Igor Karpenko reminded everyone of the importance of preserving national traditions, respecting the creative work of ancestors, and the need for strategic thinking, which directly impacts the peaceful life of future generations.
The EDI became an important bridge of lively communication between the statesman and the students. Through such an open exchange of opinions and reference to their own family histories, the meeting participants were able to gain a deeper understanding of their personal responsibility for preserving historical truth and the future development of a sovereign state.
