Family has always been the key factor for stability and development of any state. Today is the conference “Family as a core of state’s socio-demographic policy” and experts discuss issues of traditional family values, foundations and historical continuity.

This conference welcomes representatives of republican government bodies, local executive and administrative bodies, the deputy corps, the scientific community, public associations, and youth. Leading Belarusian and Russian experts in the field of demographic and family policy have been invited to the conference as speakers.

Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko emphasized that the family takes a leading place in the values of Belarusians and this is confirmed by opinion polls: “The thesis “Strong family – strong state” is traditionally one of the strategic foundations consolidating our society. In Belarus, a multifaceted and comprehensive state system of family support is being implemented, the infrastructure of children's and general education institutions is being developed, assistance is provided in resolving housing issues, and opportunities are expanding for combining work and family responsibilities of parents, cultural development and family recreation. There are separate significant payments for families with many children. The state invests significant resources in all areas vital for the family. More than 3 percent of GDP is spent annually for these purposes.”

According to information from Deputy Minister of Education Alexander Kadlubay, in the development of the fundamental documents defining state family policy, the Concept and program for the continuous education of children and youth includes blocks on creating a culture of family relationships, increasing the prestige of the family in society, and responsible parenthood. The relevance of targeted work with children in interaction with their parents is emphasized.

It is noted that the content of educational work in this direction is to form in students ideas about the role and life purpose of a woman as a mother and a man as a father, and a value attitude towards love, marriage, motherhood and fatherhood.

There are additional classes for children to learn about family life. Kids studying in grades 9-10 can opt to attend classes on “Introduction to family life”. No need to add that kids can also attend “Preparatory studies to family life”. These classes teach legal and moral base and forms respect to family relations and their spiritual values.

Parents can attend classes established specifically for them, thusly: a “Parental University” project is about continuous psychological and pedagogical support of the process of family education throughout the entire period of a child’s education in an educational institution.

Pedagogical education programs for parents are available in almost 3 thousand general secondary education institutions. Starting from 2022, the project is being implemented in close cooperation with the Belarusian Orthodox Church.

“For successful spiritual and moral education, the painstaking work of both the family and educational institutions is important, aimed at instilling in children respect for elders, willingness to help and the ability to build interaction, while promoting responsible parenthood,” said Alexander Kadlubay.

The program of the international conference also plans to familiarize its participants with the results of a sociological study by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on the topic: “Family and family relations in Belarus”; with experience in implementing the Parent-Friendly Companies initiative, as well as discussing such an important topic as inclusion in the family.