The Congress of Young Scientists of Belarus and Russia took place in Minsk on March 28-30. About 500 researchers from the two countries took part in the plenary and thematic sessions devoted to the Russian-Belarusian scientific youth cooperation. The Karelian delegation included Elena Gulyaeva, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory for Greenhouse Gas Monitoring of the Department for Multidisciplinary Research (DMR); Alexandra Kamova, Junior Researcher at the Vilga Laboratory of Agricultural Technologies DMR KarRC RAS; Sergey Minvaleev, Junior Researcher at the Ethnology Section of the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History; Svetlana Murzina, Head of the Ecological Biochemistry Laboratory at the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS, and Yulia Romashkina, Junior Researcher at the Department for Insitutional Development of Regions of the Institute of Economics.

Leading scientists of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences spoke to the young researchers during the thematic sections. The participants also had a chance to get acquainted with the work of scientific organizations. The guests were guided through laboratories, production sites and museums. Specialists from Karelia learned about the main areas of scientific and R&D activities of the Central Botanical Garden of the Belarus NAS - a nature monument of national importance, and highly appreciated its plant collections.

Participants from Karelia specifically appreciated the cultural program: they visited the Mir castle complex and the Nesvizh Open-air Museum Reserve.


Karelian delegation at the Congress of Young Scientists of Belarus and Russia

As the young scientists shared, they managed to establish professional contacts with colleagues from both Belarusian and Russian scientific organizations during the congress events. In particular, new ideas for joint research on genetic passports for pine trees, the study of wetland microbial biota and the development of agricultural technologies have emerged. There are also plans to continue the studies of language and ethno-cultural identity.

Following the Congress, a number of main tasks for the development of scientific cooperation between the two countries have been defined. First of all, it concerns the enhancement of the scientific and creative potential of young scientists of Belarus and Russia, support to their professional growth, active participation of young scientists in basic and applied research in the priority areas of world science, namely in relation to the implementation of the Union State's programs. In addition, it is necessary to boost the participation of young scientists in conferences, seminars and other events under the auspices of the Union State and to promote the formation of joint youth research teams. The Congress is expected to become a regular biennial event.

We remind that in December 2022 Karelian Research Centre RAS concluded cooperation agreements with Belarusian scientific and educational institutions. Scientists will collaborate in economic, humanitarian, and natural sciences.