Chryscina Zaprudskaja

Youth Culture and Empowerment - Belarus (Eastern Europe and FSU)

For Chryscina Zaprudskaja, language is an identity issue. Representing the Belarusian-speaking minority in a Russian dominated society, she fervently believes in the protection and revitalisation of native Belarusian language and culture at a national level.

“To speak the mother tongue is the born right of every person, but in our country under the conditions of multilingual rule this is not always true.”

Through membership of the Belarusian Language Society, Chryscina is actively involved in rallying and educating young people to participate in social events that incorporate language as a way of living. She believes “Young people are living without consciousness of their roots, ancestors and ethnic difference. The Belarusian language is under threat of extinction…” A further threat is posed as Belarus moves to enter the European Union.

With the conviction that youth culture can transform society, Chryscina hopes to share ideas and spread a spirit of unity amongst delegates at Oxfam IYP2004 whilst further developing her plans to build a Belarusian club at the Belarusian State University.