Now, please, close your eyes and make a wish. We conducted a survey among Belarussian youth in the United States as well as in Belarus. The target group was 16-28 years old. When asked, what your greatest dream was, we got totally diverse responses. Worth noticing is the common answer of the dream for free Belarus.

Young Man, 16 years old: “I dream about free Belarus”.

Young Men, 18 years old: “Free parliamentary Belarus with white-red-white historic flag and with “Pagonia” symbol”.

There was also a dream to establish a Belarussian University with European model of governance.

Young Woman, USA, 22 years old: “I wish I could open up a real Belarussian University. I wish it was truly Belarussian in language, traditions, and teaching of history. I with it was a progressive educational establishment, which could guarantee its graduates wide opportunities. I wish the establishment was up to European standards of higher educational establishments. It feels that Belarus lacks such a university. That’s why I will preserve my dream and keep on dreaming about its fulfillment”.

There was also a thought: “I want to be in harmony with everyone and with myself. One has to be very persistent in pursuing the dream because its fulfillment is very problematic!” Young people also mentioned the dream of a successful career. One young lady shared her dream of becoming a well-known artist. There were young people who still have not figured out their dream. There were many earthly dreams they had. Yet, once going into depth, they appeared to have no definite dream. However, the questioning had given the result of most dreams being non-material and with good intentions.

Next question compared the dependence of professional ambitions to political situation in Belarus.

Young Men, Belarus: “I am afraid to pursue my dreams because I may get injuries to my head directly inflicted and indirectly. I do not make long-term goals. However, when thinking thoroughly, I may take a risk and open my own business according to my qualification regardless of all difficulties.”

Young Men, USA, 28 years old: “Contrarily to Belarus, USA is a country free of societal relics and biases where one can have a good start. To be successful here, one has to rely on his/her personal strengths and have some luck on his/her side.”

Young Woman, USA, 23 years old: “In Belarus everything felt so difficult and hard to realize. I did have a dream, but I never belied in its fulfillment. In the United States the conditions are different. I am pursuing something. I have faith that whatever I begin will have a good ending. There is absolutely no political or ideological pressure. I can freely express my thoughts, work, make plans for the future.”

Almost each answer expressed strong opinion that the fulfillment of dreams in Belarus depends on the country’s political situation. Ancient Greek saying “No matter how much one tries to hide from politics, the politics will find him/her” proves the thought.

Do you clearly see the steps to reach your goals? This was our next question asked. The answers were easy to predict. The majority of youth that resides in the United States was convinced that it was real to reach one’s goal. Youth was optimistic and truly believed in possibility of political changes in Belarus.

Young Woman, USA, 21 years old: “The sooner Belarus becomes democratic, the faster Belarussian youth will find ways to realize itself not only in the US, but also in Belarus. This issue is very sensitive to me. This is what I am expecting.”

Young people in Belarus answered the questioned implying lack of their power to change things.

Young Woman, USA, 24 years old: “Not much depends on me. It feels like my studies in the University passed by as if in fog because my diploma appeared to be merely a piece of paper, which can not be used for living. Today I am living waiting for changes to happen to me rather than goals to come true.”

Also, there was a determination in respondent’s answers.

Young Man, Belarus: “I do see the steps to reach my goal. First, I need to get an education. Then, I need to maintain my status of student and not to drop off. Also, I need to change the regime in the country.”

Young Man, 16 years old, Belarus: “That’s right, I do see the steps.”

We also raised a question whether Belarusian youth feels a necessity to participate in social life of the country. It seems this question raised unexpected interest of the respondents. We discovered that perceivable lack of action and interest in undermined by a great potential. Even the difference in geographical location did not influence the answers. Contrarily, we got an impression that being away from Motherland only strengthened youth’s societal obligations.

Young Man, Belarus, 18 years old: “We need to fight and fight!”

Young Woman, USA, 21 years old: “Participation in social life is a must. Once everyone understands how much depends on him/her how his/her country will look like, then Belarus will take its respectable place among other countries and peoples. Even though I live outside of Belarus, I aim to be in the center of Belarussian affairs. Life of Belarusian Diaspora in USA and other countries of the world is of interest to me.”

Young Man, USA, 21 years old: “I would like to create the society of Belarussian Youth in USA.”

Only few young people responded that they are not interested in social life. Others positively answered the question. Youth from Belarus frequently added its fear of participating in social life of the country because of persecution. However, if the conditions improved, they would be willing to take their part in society. Some young people added that participation in social life gives an opportunity to self-realization.

At the end of the questioning we tried to determine how much youth was ready to take responsibility and their duties in societal matters. We asked whether young people considered themselves potential leaders in society. Positive answers were considerably different from negative. Even though leadership is a trait of character or personality, the desire to be among the first ones to “hold the hand on the pulse of life” among young people who will replace the older generation was closely connected with the future of Belarus.

Young Man, Belarus: “I do think I am a leader. I am more of a civilian with my own personal opinion. Leaders must have the traits of heroes. They must become leaders through their deeds.”

Young Woman, USA, 21 yeas old: “I think I am a leader. Since childhood I took part in social life (of school, then of the University). I expect my experience to help me be a good leader in the adult life.”

Young Woman, USA, 22 yeas old: “I feel like I will not make a bright leader, but I can responsibly work in a team. When the necessity arises, I will work hand to hand with a talented society’s leader.”

Young Woman, Belarus, 21 years old: “I could become a leader in society, but there has to be an important reason for me to connect my life with the life of society.”

Young Man, Belarus, 18 yeas old: “Even though I think of myself as a naturally shy person, I still think I am a leader.”

Young Man, USA: “I do think I am a leader, not a potential one, but a real one because many interesting people evolve around me. I also try to participate in different events to fulfill my planned goals.”

Our questioning showed how diverse and unpredictable our Belarussian youth is. Belarus raises people with a great potential and possibilities. We wish that every participant of the questioning will fulfill his/her dream.

And now open your eyes. Did you make a wish? Now it is time to make your dreams come true.

Newspaper “Belarus”