Prospects for Expanding Student Humanitarian Cooperation within Russian and Belarusian Universities

The mission of modern universities includes creating conditions for the development of youth potential, the formation of leadership principles among students, where humanitarian ties between countries are developing and strengthening under the influence of integrative youth initiatives. In Russian-Belarusian student cooperation, humanitarian diplomacy is manifested through grassroots scientific, educational, professional, cultural, sports, social and other projects supported by universities. Despite the desire for a diverse agenda of youth interaction, as defined in the strategic documents of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and the Union State, in practice, the involvement of students from both countries in international projects seems limited. The article analyzes data from a survey conducted in 2024 of third-year students studying at 12 universities of the Sverdlovsk region (Russia) and 3 higher educational institutions of the Grodno region (Republic of Belarus) (quota sample, quotas are based on gender, training profile, universities; n = 3000; confidence interval 0,95, sampling error < 3%). With more experience of youth cooperation among Belarusian students, third-year students from Russia demonstrate a higher level of interest in various practices of interstate cooperation. The differences in the existing experience of cross-country cooperation between young Russians and Belarusians can be explained through the prism of national characteristics of higher education systems and the specifics of state support for youth activism. The study proves that both Russian and Belarusian students are almost equally ready to participate in international scientific, educational, cultural, environmental events, projects dedicated to global integration and the development of entrepreneurial skills. However, the leadership potential is higher among the interviewed students from Belarus, and the organizational principle is more pronounced.