MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian Education Ministry has instructed the country's universities to select volunteers for the Second European Games that are due to take place in Belarus in 2019, BelTA learnt from the website of the ministry.
Head of the Education Ministry's ideological and social affairs department Maria Sorotnik noted that the volunteer movement is well developed in the country. Belarus studied the experience of selecting and training volunteers for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the First European Games in Baku. Business contacts have been established with representatives of the 2015 European Games organizing committee and the International University Sport Association.
In 2017-2018 the Minsk State Linguistic University will undertake a research into volunteering matters in order to develop programs and methodic guidelines for volunteers. The effort will help ensure that volunteers are as helpful as possible during international sports competitions held in Belarus. During the preparatory period training workshops will be conducted with the leaders of the volunteer groups and students about the main areas of activity. According to Maria Sorotnik, every student will be able to participate in the volunteer selection. Major requirements are friendly attitudes, diligence, willingness to help and interact, to study and work.
Belarus won the right to host the 2019 European Games at the 45th meeting of the General Assembly of European Olympic Committees held in Minsk in October 2016. Strategic guidance is provided by the organizing committee for the European Games. The committee has set up 15 subcommittees across all areas of activities, including the work of the volunteers.
Belarus was chosen to host the Second European Games in 2019 after a vote at the 45th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Minsk in October. The First European Games were held in Azerbaijan on 12-28 June 2015. Belarus placed 7th with a total of 43 (10 gold, 11 silver and 22 bronze) medals.
