Russia hopes for help of Belarus in the exploration of the North and promises that work beyond the Arctic Circle will be a great means for social mobility for Belarusians.
Vadim Modenov, Director of the “Arctic – SD” foundation, told the press service of the Union State website that Moscow is waiting for help in the development of the Arctic from “partners and friends” including Belarus.
“In Belarus, which is located in the middle part of the region, a lot has been developed that can be used when creating the northern infrastructure. In Belarus, there is equipment for mining, as well as the cutting edge technology. Here they train specialists for the mining industry, and these are the professions necessary for the Arctic. Many Belarusians work in Russian natural monopolies, in oil companies, they are very competent specialists with high-quality education,” said Modenov.
According to the official, the process of mastering the Arctic is just beginning.
“Before we go there, to the North, we must prepare here. We need to arm ourselves with technologies of vital activity, work, logistics, waste disposal. And from this point of view, Belarusian industrial resources, its scientific base can bring enormous benefits,” continues Modenov.
There are no Belarusians who want to go to the Arctic within the framework of the program: the foundation has not yet made public offers, the official said. However, he “has a feeling that there will be many potential candidates” — thanks to high wages.
“There are fewer and fewer opportunities to find decent work in our region. Here’s a typical situation: a young man graduates from the Bauman University, and then, in order to provide for his family, he starts selling mobile phones. I am sure that the demand for work in the Arctic will be big both among Russians and among Belarusians, says Modenov. This is a new world, this is new technology, there’s a lot of work. After all, remember the USSR? The man went “to the north”, worked there for 5-6 years, returned and bought an apartment, a car, got a job at a good place. In the future it will be the same.”
The information about the development of the Union State “Arctic – SD” program appeared last year. The goal of the project is the development of the natural resources of the northern regions, the development of technological integration, the creation of new lubricants that ensure the operation of mechanisms in difficult weather conditions.
The project is based in the Murmansk Arctic State University. Seminars within the program are also held at the Belarusian National Technical University.
