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UNESCO Volunteers In Homeland of Outstanding Scientist
The objective of «Belarus'
Castles» project is to strengthen national self–consciousness of young people
and to help understand cultural, historic and natural heritage values through
engaging them in activities for restoration of the Belarusian architectural
monuments and parks. In summer 2004 the 6th international volunteer camp was set
up in the village of Medvyadka of the Korelichsky district of the Grodno region
— a homeland of an outstanding geologist Ignaty Domeiko (the first camp was set
up in Novogrudokand the next four camps were organized in Mir).
The camp brought together
university students: 12 young men and 14 young women from all regions of
Belarus. Two–week program included archeological works in the estate of Ignaty
Domeiko and educational trainings. «We had a training on HIV/ AIDS prevention, —
said Pavel Vinogradov, one of the team leaders. — Many young people are members
of UNESCO clubs and organize healthy lifestyle trainings in the Belarusian
cities. The emphasis, therefore, was made on experience exchange.
Another training focused on
studying acting and producing techniques. We deliberately selected this subject
for our agenda because for the third year already at the camp closing party we
make a performance dedicated to the legends of the Belarusian Middle Ages; two
members of our team are involved in professional theatre work». Cultural program
also included a two–day walking tour to the Svityaz Lake and a trip to the
MirskyCastle. According to Lyudmila Bliznyuk, Chairwoman of the Association of
Belarusian UNESCO Clubs, there were much more applicants willing to stay in the
camp than the organizers had expected. Therefore, young people having experience
of such team work were selected for participation in the activities of the
Medvyadka camp. «We try to identify the interests of young people and how they
can contribute to our efforts and, particularly, to the cultural program of the
camp, — said Pavel Vinogradov. — We also try to have at least a couple of
«veterans» in the team. During the first days their presence helps to
consolidate the team because the stories of the experienced members about last
year's events stimulate the interest of newcomers».
BACKGROUND:
Ignaty Domeiko was born on 31 July 1802 in the Medyadka estate in a poor
Polish family. Being prosecuted for the active involvement in the national
resistance movement in 1830–1831, he emigrated to the South America where he
became a notable researcher. He made a construction design for a pipeline in
Santiago; upon his initiative Chile adopted a new system of measures and
established a meteorological system. Within twenty years Ignaty Domeiko was a
rector of the capital city university and led the efforts for re–organizing the
education system in Chile. He became a national hero of Chile; a mountain range
in the Andes, two cities, a mineral, a shellfish and a plant were named after
him. Upon the UNESCO decision, global–wide festivities were held in 2002 to mark
the 200th anniversary of Ignaty Domeiko.
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