From February to December, the fourth stage of the All-Belarusian youth expedition “Routes of Memory. Routes of unity.” takes place in educational institutions of the country.

The organizer of the All-Belarusian Youth Expedition is the Republican Center for Ecology and Local History with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.

The focus is on improving the system of patriotic education of youth.

Among the key objectives is the massive involvement of students in cultural, educational and research activities aimed at obtaining knowledge about the historical, cultural and natural heritage of Belarus; 2. Development of youth educational tourism; 3.  Development of regional tourist (excursion) routes including little-known sites; 4. Creating the image of the regions as an attractive tourist, excursion and cultural-educational site, as well as developing the creative abilities of students, improving their skills in information and communication technologies.

Students from institutions of general secondary education, additional education for children and youth, vocational and secondary specialized education, institutions of higher education, united in expeditionary groups, tourist and excursion groups, take part in the All-Belarusian Youth Expedition.

The age of participants is 14 years and older. The expedition team, tourist, excursion group includes about 6 students and at least 2 teaching staff members.

The activities of expeditionary teams, tourist and excursion groups are organized in five specified areas. Thus, “We Cannot Forget These Roads” includes acquaintance with objects related to military history (military graves of fallen civilians, partisans and underground fighters, military personnel, memorial complexes, monuments dedicated to military operations on the territory of Belarus, as well as other pages of the military history of different periods).

In the “Historical Glorious Names” the main focus is on getting to know places associated with the life and activities of outstanding fellow countrymen of the region (state, political, public, military authorities, philanthropists, culturists, scientists).

In turn, the “Shrines of the Native Land” has in its schedule exploration of the religious buildings of Belarus, spiritual relics, religious holidays and festivals, monuments to saints and spiritual figures of the region and other sites of religious culture.

The “Heritage of the Belarusian Land” concerns the study of architectural objects (palaces, castles, estates, museums, social, economic and other urban planning facilities).

The last road is “Reserved nature trails.” It concerns the study of the natural heritage of the region (flora and fauna, geological and hydrographic monuments, garden and park complexes, nature reserves, zakazniks and other natural monuments).

Within the framework of the All-Belarusian Youth Expedition, thematic forums, festivals, educational and presentation events are planned.

Any materials from the expeditions and tourist trips will be posted on the websites of educational institutions, and photographic materials will be published in the album “All-Belarusian youth expedition 2024" on the page of the Republican Center on VKontakte social network, as well as on other official social networks of institutions with the hashtags: #молодежная_экспедиция #маршрутами_памяти #маршрутами_единства #рцэкРБ (indicating the educational institution as the author of the photographs).

Every road ends with the development of creativity projects in one or more categories: “At the origins of knowledge of the region”, “Know the Motherland - educate yourself”, “Natural scents of Radzima”, “Father’s land, our land of Miracles”, “Tourist mosaic of Belarus” in the chosen direction.

The jury members will evaluate the project’s compliance with the chosen direction; the effectiveness of achieving the goals and objectives of the expedition; completeness of the presentation of material about the expedition; chronological and sequential presentation of the material; prospects for using the found material.

In each category, the results among general secondary education institutions are separately considered and summed up; institutions of additional education for children and youth; institutions of vocational and secondary special education; institutions of higher education.

If there is a tie, the judges are allowed to decide whether to award more prizes. A tied score for the first, second and third places will award a victory for all who drew.

The winners and prize-winners of the All-Belarusian Youth Expedition in the categories will be awarded diplomas from the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus and diplomas from the Republican Center.