EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The international forum Talking About What Matters: a Happy Family is a Strong State took place in Polotsk. Participants suggested numerous initiatives to promote traditional family values and protect children and elderly parents, BelTA has learned.
The event is held under the patronage of the Council of the Republic and the Belarusian Orthodox Church. In 2026, the traditional forum has an international format, bringing together five large families from each region of Belarus and Minsk. The participants discussed their ideas and concerns with Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova and Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.
One of the issues of greatest concern to parents is the influence of the internet and social media on the younger generation. “Banning and restricting things is the easiest option, but it is certainly not the answer,” Natalya Kochanova said during a discussion with mothers and fathers. In her view, a balanced approach is needed to find solutions that do not turn social media into a forbidden fruit. Forum participants noted that, alongside destructive online groups and questionable contacts in messaging apps, another problem is emerging: schoolchildren are using artificial intelligence to do their homework and are consequently losing the habit of thinking independently, making the learning process pointless. Experienced parents proposed that children should do their homework at school, where they cannot use smartphones because they hand them in at the beginning of the school day. One option would be to introduce this practice during after-school group for first-graders.
Many participants are religious and observe Christian traditions. Concerned about the spiritual upbringing of the younger generation, parents proposed that the Patriarchal Exarch and the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic launch a joint project for schoolchildren. It would introduce young people to the spiritual dimension of family life and could potentially change their attitudes towards marriage, teaching them patience, and mutual understanding in accordance with God’s commandments. Another proposal from large families was to introduce the services of a ‘Christian psychologist’ who could help children and adults find a way out of difficult life situations, including by drawing on the word of God. Parents believe that such spiritual and psychological support could be invaluable in preventing suicide among children.
Discussing moral education, forum participants also noted that billboards in many cities often feature advertisements with models posing in their underwear. “We would like to see photographs of Belarusian families on these billboards. After all, what could be better than the personal example of happy people?” the participants said. Natalya Kochanova supported the idea and suggested that Aleksei Guida, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee, take it forward by placing photographs of families from Vitebsk Oblast who took part in the forum on billboards.
Guests from Gomel Oblast said that a project they had developed after presenting an initiative at the Family of the Year competition was continuing to grow. Mothers from large families meet teenage girls at various educational institutions and talk to them about motherhood, life in a large family, ways to fulfil their potential, raising children and building communication with a husband. According to the project’s initiators, many girls are interested in these topics and value the opinions of people with firsthand experience. The family is ready to expand the initiative beyond its home and share its experience with others across Belarus. Olga and Dmitry Sviridyuk, winners of the national Family of the Year 2026 competition, proposed creating a so-called parental support account. Under the idea, working adult children could transfer 1-2% of their salaries into the account, allowing their mothers and fathers to receive financial assistance either before or after retirement. The couple believes this could provide an additional financial safety net for older people.
Many families came to the forum to raise problems they face. These included where to obtain a qualified assessment when a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder; how to eliminate the use of obscene language among schoolchildren, particularly younger pupils; how to protect children from bullying at school; and how to preserve continuity between generations by passing on to young mothers the experience of their own mothers and grandmothers in creating a comfortable home and raising sons and daughters.
Participants gathered at the St. Euphrosyne Convent in Polotsk also toured the convent, learned about the spiritual legacy of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk and venerated her relics. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit a city where Belarusian statehood took root and where history can be felt at every turn.
On 13 October, the participants will attend a plenary session at St. Sophia Cathedral, where they will learn about Belarus’ achievements and the Belarusian Orthodox Church’s initiatives to promote traditional family values.