Navigating Change: BelSU Foresight Dialogue Tackles Youth Policy and Sociocultural Challenges

Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) recently hosted the “Eurasian Integration and Sociocultural Security: 2050 (Youth Policy)” event, organized by the Department of Social Technologies and Public Administration within the Institute of Economics and Management.

Moderated by Associate Professor Natalia Solovieva, the event welcomed several distinguished speakers, including Alexey Avdonin from the Belarusian ZNANIE Society, Vitaly Shemyakin of the Central Election Commission of the United All-Russian Political Party, and Viktor Sapryka, a Doctor of Sociology and Professor at the Russian State University for the Humanities, who also serves as Director of the Institute of Cross-Border Cooperation and Integration.

Held in a hybrid format, participants engaged in an interdisciplinary analysis of long-term trends, risks, and opportunities for Eurasian integration. The primary goal was to formulate specific scenarios and initiatives in youth policy that would foster cultural dialogue and social stability by 2050. The event not only facilitated an exchange of ideas but also helped establish a community of proactive leaders.

Key sessions involved strategic discussions where participants were divided into role perspectives – Researcher, Entrepreneur, and Manager. They utilized scenario planning and blind spot analysis tools to transition from abstract forecasts to actionable roadmaps. This collaborative effort was guided by mentors Larisa Shmigirilova, Associate Professor, and Natalia Kulakova, Senior Lecturer in the department.

“The main challenges included overcoming interdisciplinary language barriers and addressing the gap between long-term forecasts and immediate decisions. However, effective facilitation allowed us to turn these challenges into opportunities,” remarked Larisa Shmigirilova.

A central outcome of the dialogue was a consensus on the necessity for a paradigm shift – from reactive measures to proactive prevention. Participants agreed that ensuring sociocultural security could not rely on forceful or prohibitive methods. Instead, it is essential to promote digital literacy, cultivate a positive and creative agenda for young people, and transform the educational environment so that risk prevention becomes an integral part of the process.