From November 13 to 15, 2024, the Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University hosted the I Minsk Model SCO. The Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University and the SCOLAR Minsk hub, supported by the SCOLAR Network Youth Platform, and in collaboration with the SCOLAR hubs in Nizhny Novgorod and St. Petersburg.The event was structured as a simulation of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (in Russian) and the Council of National Coordinators (in Chinese). This was the first time such an SCO simulation was held in Belarus.
The event attracted over 60 university students from Belarusian and Russian institutions. Among them, approximately 40 students were from various faculties of Belarusian State University, including the Faculty of International Relations, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics, and the Faculty of History and Journalism. Additionally, students participated from Belarusian State Economic University, Belarusian State Academy of Music, Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University in Russia, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Grodno State University named after Yanka Kupala, and the Academy of Public Administration under the Aegis of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Opening Ceremony of the I Minsk Model SCO
On November 13, the Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University hosted the opening ceremony of the I Minsk Model Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Yelena Anatolyevna Dostanko, Head of the Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University, and Ms. Victoria Khu, Co-founder and President of SCOLAR Network, jointly presided over the meeting.
“This event is of great significance to us because, as you know, on July 4 of this year, the Republic of Belarus officially became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Thanks to the youth platform for SCO countries, SCOLAR Network, we were able to organize this event. ” E. A. Dostanko
“I believe this event is highly significant because it is the first Model SCO in Minsk, taking place just a few months after the establishment of the Minsk hub on July 22.” Victoria Khu
“Today, we are creating a platform to discuss pressing issues related to the security, economic development, and cultural exchange among the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We firmly believe that your active participation, insights, and suggestions will help us better understand international dynamics and develop new approaches to addressing global challenges.” Viktor Pavlovich Kochin, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Education Internationalization at Belarusian State University
“I am confident that the outcomes of today’s event are of global significance, as this year’s first joint initiative will lay the foundation for further strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This event serves as a crucial platform for enhancing international humanitarian cooperation and expanding economic ties within the SCO space. The Secretariat of the SCO Business Council will continue to support initiatives related to youth entrepreneurship projects.”
Sergey Vadimovich Kanavsky, Executive Secretary of the SCO Business Council
“We extend our gratitude to the Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University for its initiative in joining the youth platform for SCO countries, SCOLAR Network, immediately after Belarus officially became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in July 2024. Today’s opening of the First Minsk SCO Model, co-organized by several Belarusian and Russian hubs of SCOLAR Network, marks an excellent beginning to encourage youth participation in SCO activities and to explore innovative approaches for working within the organization’s framework.”
Vadim Leonidovich Senyuta, Director of the China and Asia-Pacific Cooperation Division of the Asia, Africa, and Latin America Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus
“I can responsibly say that Belarus places great importance on its participation in the work of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and is expected to bring a strong impetus to the development of the organization. Achieving this is only possible with a deep understanding of how the organization functions.”
Yevgeny Olegovich Ryabtsev, Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the People’s Republic of China and Acting Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the SCO Secretariat
“The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has always placed great emphasis on matters concerning the younger generation, considering them one of its priority areas. We hope that this interactive game will become a cherished tradition for Belarusian universities in the future.”
Pavel Ivanovich Dolgov, First-Class Expert, SCO Secretariat
“The Model SCO represents connection, the meeting of new friends, the emergence of new knowledge, and the development of skills that are critically needed in today’s international community to address global challenges. It is dedicated to creating a happy, cozy, comfortable, and peaceful world—this is precisely the mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.”
Svetlana Anatolyevna Kolobova, Dean of the Higher School of International Relations and World Politics at the Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University named after N.A. Dobrolyubov, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor, and Mentor of the SCOLAR Nizhny Novgorod hub
At the I Minsk SCO Model, held on November 13-14, 2024, two meetings were simulated: the Council of Heads of Government (conducted in Russian) and the Council of National Coordinators (conducted in Chinese). The delegations represented included the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China (Chair), the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the SCO Secretariat. Additionally, the Council of Heads of Government meeting included observer organizations: the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
During the simulation of the Council of Heads of Government, delegates presented position papers on the agenda topic: “Shaping a New Chapter in Youth Policy: Strategic Vision and Innovative Initiatives for a Sustainable Future.” Guided by the statement of the SCO Heads of State Council on cooperation in the field of youth policy, which emphasizes the importance of developing a strategy, delegates recognized the significance of the previously adopted Joint Address of the SCO Heads of State to Youth. They actively proposed initiatives for formulating strategies in the context of global changes and challenges.
The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including preventing youth radicalization, fostering critical thinking and media literacy, ensuring youth participation in governmental and public institutions, and promoting information dissemination and education.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a Joint Communiqué, which included 11 initiatives aimed at establishing a “Youth Initiative Forum.” These initiatives focused on creating a unified platform for collaborative scientific projects among youth representatives from SCO member states, as well as developing and supporting educational programs to enhance political literacy among young people, among other goals.
During the simulation of the Council of National Coordinators, delegates presented position papers on the agenda topic: “Nature, Environmental, and Climate Protection.”
The simulated delegates emphasized that green development is a vital long-term priority for all countries. Guided by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, a series of targeted policies and measures have been implemented to promote the green transformation of economies and societies, achieving significant results.
The simulation of the Council of National Coordinators concluded with the adoption of a Roadmap, which included seven initiatives. These covered the creation of a multilateral platform to strengthen legislative and policy support for advancing the SCO green agenda, the launch of the “SCO Water Guardians” project for managing transboundary water resources, and the development of educational programs aimed at raising public awareness about waste separation, among other measures
On November 15, the First Minsk Model SCO officially concluded at the Faculty of International Relations of Belarusian State University. During the closing ceremony, members of the organizing committee, including Artem Polovinsky, Head of SCOLAR Minsk hub ; Lydia Zhurko, Deputy Head and Chair of the Simulated Council of National Coordinators; Ksenia Leshchenko, Mentor; Daria Kulak, Media Team Member and Chair of the Simulated Council of Heads of Government; and Alexey Moiseenko, Head of SCOLAR Nizhny Novgorod hub and Chair of the Simulated Council of Heads of Government, awarded commemorative certificates to participants and expressed gratitude to the volunteers who contributed to the success of the event.
@Student delegates from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation :The format was remarkable and engaging. My colleague and I, especially, have a positive view of it. As first-time participants in such an event, we found the interactive elements highly novel and enjoyable. It was a unique experience we’ve never had before. Hosting such activities at a university is excellence.
I would like to emphasize the unique nature of this format. The projects we usually participate in or organize in Minsk tend to be more informal, whereas here, everything adhered strictly to formal diplomatic procedures. Additionally, the unusual aspect was that we had to prepare reports in advance before arriving, which is uncommon in our previous
@Participant from N.A. Dobrolyubov NGLU: This was my first Model SCO experience, marking an important milestone in my future professional career. It had a profound impact on me through the many connections I made. I also gained a deeper understanding of many new countries. I am truly honored to have participated in this Model.
@ Alexey Moiseenko, Head of the SCOLAR Nizhny Novgorod Branch, and his Deputy, Anastasia Khaliutkina: We were truly honored to participate in this event. We look forward to building closer collaboration with the SCOLAR Minsk hub in the future and providing them with full support.