The international forum "Women's Initiatives for Development and Prosperity: Experience and Creation" brought together about 100 representatives of the Belarusian Women's Union and the Russian Women's Union in Gomel on September 28 and 29, a BELTA correspondent reports.

The two-day program was launched at the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace. The plenary sessions covered a wide range of areas: from the economy of the future and the role of women in developing creative industries and small business, to the connection between generations, preservation of historical memory, and patriotic education of youth. Key priorities include new formats of cooperation between the regions of Belarus and the Moscow region, direct dialogue between government, business and society, as well as legislative aspects.

Yulia Yasinskaya, deputy chair of the BSU, spoke about the results and prospects of cooperation between women's organizations of Belarus and Russia. "Cooperation with colleagues from the Moscow region is very fruitful and has resulted in real projects. We are ready to develop our interaction," she emphasized. Particular emphasis was placed on developing cooperation between women from the Gomel and Moscow regions.

"We have many joint projects. One of them is the 'Banner of Memory.' Last year, representatives of the Belarusian Women's Union marched with a large scarlet banner bearing the surnames of people who fought for the freedom of our country during the Great Patriotic War. The second major project is 'Super Grandmother,' the final stage of which will take place in November," added Yulia Yasinskaya. She also announced several interesting joint projects, ideas for which have already been prepared by both sides.

Lyudmila Sapego, chair of the Gomel regional organization of the Belarusian Women's Union, member of the Council of the Republic, and general director of the Gomel enterprise Farmatsiya (Pharmacy), assured that there are plenty of ideas and initiatives to implement. "We have a wealth of experience and projects, and we have something to share. It is very important that over decades of cooperation we do not just meet and discuss important aspects at dialogue platforms — all of this grows into significant projects of the Union State," she emphasized.

Active and proactive women of the Moscow regional branch of the Russian Women's Union contribute to the implementation of joint socially significant projects, support for motherhood and childhood, and the promotion of civic ideas. Russian women are always open to dialogue with their Belarusian colleagues.

As emphasized by Marina Veremeenko, Chair of the Council of Deputies of the Solnechnogorsk urban district and Chair of the Coordinating Council of Women Parliamentarians under the Moscow Regional Branch of the Union of Women of Russia, women's initiatives are a crucial driver of positive change — from strengthening family values and social protection to introducing innovative approaches in the economy and ecology. "This is not our first visit to Belarus. We have many shared developments and numerous cooperation agreements have been signed. We continue to strengthen the bridge of friendship between Russia and Belarus, and we also interact at the regional level. Such meetings inspire us to new projects and initiatives," she noted.

Following the forum, an expanded agenda of joint projects for the future will be drawn up. The program also includes the signing of a cooperation agreement.

The forum is dedicated to two anniversaries: the 85th anniversary of the Union of Women of Russia and the 35th anniversary of the Belarusian Union of Women. Such meetings underscore the inseparable spiritual bond, shared historical destiny, and common values of the fraternal peoples. A special role belongs to women, who have always been and remain the guardians of peace and traditions and the chief creators of the future. Women representatives of the two countries intend to continue passing the baton of goodness and creation to the next generations, strengthening the economic and spiritual potential of the Union State.

The forum is held with the support of the Gomel Regional Organization of the Belarusian Union of Women and the Moscow Regional Organization of the Union of Women of Russia. The parties are confident that the participants' unique experience will be in demand and will lay the foundation for new directions in the work of women's organizations.