Family policy becomes social brand of Belarus – Kochanov

Family policy has become a social brand of the Republic of Belarus, which was created throughout the formation of our state. This opinion was expressed today, October 13, by the Chairman of the Council of the Republic Natalia Kochanova to the participants and guests of the International Forum “Conversation on the Important”. A happy family is a strong state" at the plenary session in the Sophia Cathedral, the correspondent of sb.by reports.

This year, the forum is held for the fourth time and for the first time in the status of an international one, Natalia Kochanova stressed:

- This is a vivid evidence that the topic of preserving traditional values, family and intergenerational ties excites and unites progressive communities, peoples and countries that truly cherish their future.

In this regard, Natalia Kochanova expressed special gratitude to the parliamentary friends of Belarus from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan for the development of constructive dialogue and fruitful cooperation:

- Our countries are really united by the fact that we sacredly honor traditions, support family values, promote the realization of women in all spheres of life. In a strong, happy family, the cultural and genetic code that determines the identity of the people is formed. We all have one thing in common: we do not want our children to grow up in a world where there is no place for love, respect for elders and responsibility. Therefore, our conversation today is about the most important thing: what we will be tomorrow, what we will pass on to our children and grandchildren.

The Chairman of the Council of the Republic noted that the venue and format of the meeting were not chosen by chance. The ancient Polotsk land, which hosts the guests of the forum on the eve of the state and religious holiday – Mother’s Day and the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, consolidating Belarusian society, has long been the cradle of Belarusian spirituality. This place gives rise to the origins of national identity, culture, education and morality of the Belarusian people. Polotsk preserves sacred shrines and symbols of faith of Belarus, there is a particularly acute sense of the eternal connection of times, emphasizing the simple truth - without historical memory of the past, public unity around the fundamental spiritual and moral landmarks bequeathed by older generations, there is no prosperous present and future, Natalia Kochanova is convinced:

- Family values are the basis of a healthy society and a prosperous state. Unfortunately, strengthening the institution of the family becomes simply vital. Currently, in some countries of the European Union, the fundamental foundations of the institution of the family are being eroded.

Alien to the spiritual heritage and mentality of Belarusians, they try to impose installations from the outside through social networks and mass culture in the form of consumerism and spirituality. False values are promoted through art, culture and the media. An aggressive information and psychological attack is being carried out, the object of which are centuries-old traditions and public consciousness, Natalia Kochanova stated:

- The purpose of these attempts is to destroy the historical connection of generations, create a consumer society with a distorted morality and the absence of moral principles that lead to the loss of national identity, or, as the President of the Republic of Belarus said, nothing but an attempt to depopulate and weaken the state. That is why Belarus has a consistent policy aimed at preserving the institution of the family.

In this regard, Natalia Kochanova cited the following facts. According to the results of sociological studies of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Studies, children, family, relatives and friends occupy leading positions in the value orientations of Belarusians. The basis of Belarusian society is the traditional family. At the same time, Belarus feels the tendencies inherent in many countries of the world - later entering into the first marriage and the birth of the first child, the refusal to give birth to a second child, the growth of demographic imbalance, conscious loneliness, the aging of the population, said Natalia Kochanova:

- That is why demographic security has become one of the priorities identified at the VII All-Belarusian People’s Assembly. Our President emphasizes: “A strong family is the key to the prosperity of society, therefore, such great importance is paid to the protection of motherhood and childhood, increasing the prestige of family values and strengthening the authority of parents among young people.” Family policy has become a social brand of the Republic of Belarus, which was created throughout the period of formation of our state. At the legislative level, the family is a priority in Belarus, and its protection is an important state function.

According to Natalia Kochanova, step by step Belarus is moving towards expanding support for families with children. The protection of the institution of family and traditional family values is reflected in the Concept of National Security of the Republic of Belarus. In recent years, three laws have been adopted on marriage and family relations, ensuring the rights of children, and establishing state benefits for families with children. Measures to strengthen the institution of the family are being implemented within the framework of the State Program “Development of Demographic Potential” for 2026-2030 and the Information Strategy of the State Family Policy for 2026-2030. To ensure decent living conditions for families with children, a set of measures is being implemented, to which the state annually allocates significant financial resources.

The Council of the Republic actively promotes family values and considers it important to scale this work on the platforms of international formats in its international activities, Natalia Kochanova added, indicating promising directions for further activities. First of all, it is a dialogue with young people about family values, said the Chairman of the Council of the Republic:

- The need to develop dialogue with youth was emphasized during the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Turkmenistan. We all need to form among young people internal attitudes to create a strong family and the inadmissibility of family problems. In the conditions of unstable, digital and accelerating time, it is the family, the warmth of the parental home and loved ones that are a living connection between the past and the future, the main value of society and the school of life that cannot be replaced. That's what we have to talk to them about. And that's our social mission.

The focus should also be on further improvement of legislation in the field of family policy, consolidation and strengthening of a systematic approach in the work of republican state and local governments, traditional faiths, public organizations and the media to promote the topic of family values. A special role in this regard is given to inter-parliamentary cooperation, believes Natalia Kochanova:

- It is necessary to exchange views on global challenges, expand the dialogue on strengthening the institution of the family as the spiritual and moral foundation of social stability. Therefore, the proposals and initiatives developed following the forum should have concrete implementation.

In conclusion, Natalia Kochanova expressed confidence that the international forum in Polotsk will be another step towards ensuring that the family in all our countries is the main value and reliable support of a strong and successful state

Appreciate and take care of your loved ones, love and be happy. After all, our well-being is the well-being of our states – their sovereignty and power, greatness and prosperity.

In 2026, in the events of the International Forum “Talk about the Important”. Happy Family – Strong State, which took place on October 12-13 in Polotsk, was attended by about 300 people – parliamentary delegations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, members of the Council of the Republic, the leadership of the republican government bodies, representatives of the clergy of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, as well as 35 families from all regions of Belarus. The events of the forum took place at the historical and spiritual sites of the ancient city - in the Sophia Cathedral, the Polotsk Spaso-Euphrosinievsky Women's Monastery, the Museum of Belarusian Printing, Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne Polotsk and Polotsk Cadet School.

On the first day of the forum, the participants of the event met with the Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalia Kochanova and Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslav, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus on the territory of the spiritual pearl of our country - the Spaso-Euphrosinievsky convent. The conversation touched upon the topics of opening a parent account, projects on spiritual and moral education in schools from large families, the work of a Christian psychologist with children and parents and other topical issues related to the protection of family and marriage, the protection of motherhood and childhood. Also on this day, the guests of the event visited the Museum of Belarusian Printing in Polotsk.

The second day of the forum began with an acquaintance with the fair of folk crafts, national farmsteads and master classes in the areas of decorative and applied arts, which unfolded in one of the buildings of the Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne Polotskaya. Further, for the participants, a rich, bright tour of the Polotsk Cadet School was held.

The central event of the forum was a plenary session led by the Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalia Kochanova and Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslav, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. During the event, the participants exchanged views and ideas on improving the institution of the family, shared the experience of their countries.

During the events of the forum for conscientious work and a significant personal contribution to the development of the state family policy, the gratitude of the Chairman of the Council of the Republic to the families who took part in the forum was announced. A Letter of Gratitude from the Chairman of the Council of the Republic Natalia Kochanova and Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslav, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus for the highly professional moderation of the International Forum “Talk about the Important: A Happy Family is a Strong State” dedicated to the support of family values was also presented. Parental account, social advertising and other ideas. What offered large families at the forum in Polotsk