Youth and Society. Youth Organizations.

Youth and Society. Youth Organizations.
I.
Let's talk about Belarusian youth organizations. What youth organizations are there in your country? Are you a member of any youth organization?
Today young people take an active part in the social life of the country. What youth organizations do you know?
There are many ways for young people to be involved in social life. Tell me about some of them.
Today many young people take an active part in social life. What issues are important for them?
Today young people take an active part in social life. How do they do it?
There are many young people in the world. They have their own views and problems. In my opinion, the biggest youth problems today are: generation gap, bad habits, earning money, crime and, of course, spending free time. Young people are the future of the world that’s why it’s very important for them to show their own active position. Today young people try to take an active part in social life. They usually join different clubs, groups or societies. They unite young people on different principles. There are some informal youth groups: skinheads, hippies, punks. And there is always the problem of misunderstanding between these groups because their views differ. Different religious youth groups aim at helping elderly people or working in hospitals. They even help former prisoners to start a new life. Religious organizations also involve young people into music and drama festivals. Other youth organizations can be divided into: 1) non-political organizations and 2) youth organizations connected with political parties. They have different principles. The largest non-political organization is The Scout Movement. The membership is voluntary, they have a special badge, a training programme and the motto «Be Prepared». They develop such skills as honesty, obedience, patriotism, kindness. The Belarusian Pioneer Movement is a part of the Scout Movement. One of the organizations connected with political parties is the Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (YCND) which cooperates with the National Union of Students. They organize meetings, demonstrations and festivals. The most important youth organization in Belarus is theBelarusian Republican Youth Union or the BRSM. Its goals are to promote patriotism, moral values and they organize such activities as camping, sporting events, concerts, volunteer work, charity and different demonstrations to support the present power in our country.The BRSM was founded in 2002 and it has its emblem and flag. Sorry to say, but I'm not a member of any youth organization because I have no free time. But I think that youth organizations do useful work to help young people to take an active part in social and political life of the country.
II.
Do you agree that young people should play some role in the life of society? Why (not)?
Do you agree that youth organizations help young people to socialize?
First of all, I should say that the goals of any youth organization are to train youth in responsible citizenship, to develop character and moral values. Such organizations as the BRSM, the Scout Movement and some others organize different meetings, events and campaigns to help young people to make friends, to learn something new and to promote their views. They help young people to socialize and give the opportunity to play some role in the life of society. Sometimes young people's campaigns can even influence the government's decisions on different issues.
Have you ever joined any youth organization? Why?
Would you like to join any of the organizations you’ve heard about? Why?
Sorry to say but I’m not a member of any youth organization because I have no free time. I’m working hard to get prepared for my exams. I have no time to do what I want. But I think that youth organizations do useful work to help young people to take an active part in social and political life of the country. May be in future I’ll join the BRSM.
Have you ever taken part in any interesting international event? Why (not)?
Sorry to say, I haven’t taken part in international events. But once I took part in a concert organized by the BRSM and it was wonderful. A lot of people gathered to find money to help veterans. And I’m proud that I was one of them.
III.
What questions would you like to ask a person who has joined a new international organization?
What questions would you ask a member of the BRSM?
Your British friend is a member of the Scout movement. What questions would you ask him/her?
1. When was this organization founded? 2. What are the goals of this organization? 3. What events do you organize? 4. How many members are there in your organization? 5. What is your motto? 6. Is your organization powerful and influential?
What questions can you ask about the campaign “Education Free For Everybody’’?
What questions can you ask about the recent event organized by the BRSM?
1. Why did you organize this campaign (event)? 2. Do you have any sponsors? 3. How many people are involved into this campaign (event)? 4. What are the results of this campaign (event)?
What would you like to learn about the activities of cheerleaders in Minsk?
1. When was your organization founded? 2. What is your motto? 3. How many members are there in your organization?
IV.
Your friend is hesitating whether to join the BRSM. Give him advice.
Which youth organization would you recommend to join and why?
I'm sure you should join the BRSM. They promote patriotism, moral values and they organize such activities as camping, sporting events, concerts and meetings, where you can make new friends and promote your own views. Besides, it will help you to socialize. Once I took part in a concert organized by the BRSM and it was wonderful. A lot of people gathered to find money to help veterans. And I'm proud that I was one of them. So, join the BRSM.
What campaign would you recommend to start? Why?
Today a lot of people believe that they should do something to protect our environment. So you can start «Environmental Protection Campaign». First of all you should find volunteers and choose the motto for your campaign. You can organize meetings with local authorities, different concerts and charity projects. I'm sure that nature protection is everybody's concern so your campaign will be a success.
What issues would you recommend to discuss at a monthly meeting of a debate club?
There are many important issues that worry young people today.One of them is the chance to do something for our society, to change the world for the better. I think we should discuss how to involve young people into active social life and how to organize some important events.
V.
Not all young people in Belarus have joined youth organizations. What stops them?
I think the main reason for this is lack of free time. I'm leaving school soon and I'm thinking about entering a university. That's why I'm working hard to get prepared for my exams. I have no time to do what I want. I have a lot of home task and I can't even help my mum with housework. But I think there are some young people who don't want to do anything. They take drugs and alcohol, they are lazy and indifferent and they don't understand that they can be helpful for our society.
A lot of young people in Europe and America work as volunteers. What do you think attracts them to this kind of work?
There are always a lot of people who agree to work without any pay. Volunteers all over the world help elderly people with shopping, cleaning and washing. They take part in different charity projects. I think they want to be helpful. When you help other people it gives you a sense of importance and necessity. And you feel better because you make the world better with your good and kind deeds.
If you had a chance to start a campaign, what kind of campaign will it be? What would you campaign for?
Today a lot of people believe that they should do something to protect our environment. So I would start ‘’Environmental Protection Campaign’’. I would organize meetings with local authorities, different concerts and charity projects. I’m sure that nature protection is everybody’s concern.
A lot of young people think that there is nothing better than having money. Do you agree with them?
I disagree. I realize that nowadays a lot of people find their happiness in having a big amount of money. It gives them a possibility to be independent, to buy expensive things and to travel all over the world. Modern people are influenced by material values. But I’m not a person of that kind. I want to get good education, find an interesting job and to be useful for our society.
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Дата добавления: 2015-11-04