MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – The BRSM Youth Union and the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) have signed a cooperation agreement. The signing ceremony took place at the National House of Youth on 3 February, during a visit of the EYCA delegation led by EYCA Director Manel Sanchez to Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“The BRSM Youth Union has developed relations with the European Youth Card Association for many years. We are happy that we have finally signed the cooperation agreement,” First Secretary of the BRSM Central Committee Dmitry Voronyuk noted.
According to him, this is a major breakthrough for the Belarusian youth movement. “Today we have become an official member of the European Youth Card Association. As a result, we will be able to uncover Belarus for the whole Europe. This agreement will facilitate implementation of various global and European student initiatives,” Dmitry Voronyuk said.
The European Youth Card holders from Belarus will be able to participate in various projects and programs launched by the EYCA. “The agreement is just the first step. We will need to work hard in order to fulfill all our agreements. We are happy to see how seriously our strategic partners take cooperation with the BRSM. EYCA Director Manel Sanchez's participation in the talks is very important to us. Our agreements will help promote academic mobility, strengthen dialogue between student associations from various countries, and make domestic and international tourism more available to the youth,” Dmitry Voronyuk stressed.
“There are a lot of young people with an active civil position in Belarus. This is one of the reasons why the EYCA wants to cooperate with the BRSM,” Manel Sanchez said. “Today we have discussed the development of our relations. We will enhance this cooperation, focus on academic mobility, and carry out various programs and projects. I hope that our cooperation will contribute to the development of our association and will be mutually beneficial,” he added.
The delegation of the European Youth Card Association has come to Belarus on the invitation of the BRSM Youth Union. The EYCA was established in 1987 on the initiative of European youth associations. Since then, the number of the EYCA member states has increased from 7 to 37 (including Belarus). The idea to create a discount system to stimulate the interest to culture and travel among young people aged 14-26 has been actively promoted. The age limit for the European Youth Card holders has been raised from 26 to 30. The card can be issued only by one national organization that is supported by government agencies and is an EYCA member. The card is valid in all member countries of the association and can be used as an identity card or even a free travel document in some countries. At present the European Youth Card is one of instruments for cooperation in the youth policy in Europe.
Photos courtesy of the BRSM
