Our activities
PAST ACTIVITIES
Panel discussions at the International Congress of Belarusian Studies
22 – 23 September 2023 | Gdańsk, Poland
The 11th International Congress of Belarusian Studies (22 – 24 September 2023), organised by our project partner organisation "Political Sphere", brought together more than 200 experts and scholars from social sciences and humanities to discuss a wide range of topics concerning Belarus. As co-organisers, we hosted a panel discussion on EU-Belarus relations, where we focused on three dimensions: civil society, democratic forces in exile and the EU's sanctions policy towards Belarus. We also presented our most recent study on migration from Belarus to five EU member states.
The 11th International Congress of Belarusian Studies (22 – 24 September 2023), organised by our project partner organisation "Political Sphere", brought together more than 200 experts and scholars from social sciences and humanities to discuss a wide range of topics concerning Belarus. As co-organisers, we hosted a panel discussion on EU-Belarus relations, where we focused on three dimensions: civil society, democratic forces in exile and the EU's sanctions policy towards Belarus. We also presented our most recent study on migration from Belarus to five EU member states.
Presentation of a Study: Memory in Belarusian policies towards Germany and Poland
30 June 2023 | Warsaw, Poland
Following the publication of the study “Memory in Belarusian policies towards Germany and Poland”, the College of Eastern Europe organised a discussion on the role of history and memory in Belarusian politics at the University of Warsaw. The panelists discussed the main findings of the study, putting major emphasis on the years 2020 and 2022 as a breakthrough in the politics of memory as well as the rising Russian influence on Belarusian memory policies.
Following the publication of the study “Memory in Belarusian policies towards Germany and Poland”, the College of Eastern Europe organised a discussion on the role of history and memory in Belarusian politics at the University of Warsaw. The panelists discussed the main findings of the study, putting major emphasis on the years 2020 and 2022 as a breakthrough in the politics of memory as well as the rising Russian influence on Belarusian memory policies.
Two Meetings with representatives of the German Federal Foreign Office
June 2023 I Berlin, Germany
On June 13, the German Federal Foreign Office invited representatives of German civil society and Belarusian diaspora to a round table to exchange on issues Belarusians face in Germany, as well as on further support possibilities for a democratic Belarus. On June 15, an online expert meeting on the challenges for the Belarusian sovereignty with Robin Wagener, Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with the Southern Caucasus, the Republic of Moldova and Central Asia, and Matthias Lüttenberg, Representative for Eastern European, the Caucasus and Central Asian countries, took place.
On June 13, the German Federal Foreign Office invited representatives of German civil society and Belarusian diaspora to a round table to exchange on issues Belarusians face in Germany, as well as on further support possibilities for a democratic Belarus. On June 15, an online expert meeting on the challenges for the Belarusian sovereignty with Robin Wagener, Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with the Southern Caucasus, the Republic of Moldova and Central Asia, and Matthias Lüttenberg, Representative for Eastern European, the Caucasus and Central Asian countries, took place.
Presentation of a Policy Paper: Four Scenarios for Belarus by the End of 2023
15 May 2023 | Online, Zoom
Following a scenario-workshop on the future of Belarus, the policy paper “Four Scenarios for Belarus by the End of 2023” was presented online to the wider public. Between February and April 2023, fifteen international experts worked on four scenarios for the sovereignty of Belarus – reaching from a scenario of “Russian Protectorate” to “Union against Russia”. You can find the paper here; the recording of the presentation can be accessed here. The scenario-workshop and the presentation of the policy paper were organised in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Belarus.
Following a scenario-workshop on the future of Belarus, the policy paper “Four Scenarios for Belarus by the End of 2023” was presented online to the wider public. Between February and April 2023, fifteen international experts worked on four scenarios for the sovereignty of Belarus – reaching from a scenario of “Russian Protectorate” to “Union against Russia”. You can find the paper here; the recording of the presentation can be accessed here. The scenario-workshop and the presentation of the policy paper were organised in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Belarus.
Background meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her team
25 April 2023 | Berlin, Germany
Members of the Arbeitskreis Belarus (Working Group on Belarus) held a background meeting with the Head of the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and her advisors’ team in Berlin. The team presented current policy priorities of the Cabinet as well as insights from their visit in Berlin on 24-25 April, which was followed by a discussion with members of the Arbeitskreis Belarus i.a. on how German actors can support the democratic movement in Belarus.
Members of the Arbeitskreis Belarus (Working Group on Belarus) held a background meeting with the Head of the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and her advisors’ team in Berlin. The team presented current policy priorities of the Cabinet as well as insights from their visit in Berlin on 24-25 April, which was followed by a discussion with members of the Arbeitskreis Belarus i.a. on how German actors can support the democratic movement in Belarus.
Media Breakfasts in Germany
23 March / 3 July / 26 September 2023 | Berlin, Germany
The humanitarian catastrophe in Belarus is increasingly fading into the background in the German public. To counteract this, Razam e.V. held three events for media representatives to report on the current situation of Belarusians in the country and abroad. The first media breakfast under the title "The Art of Protest" was dedicated to Belarusian cultural workers who were forced to emigrate due to the repressions. The second media breakfast "Echoes of Silence" shed light on the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and discussed possibilities of their release. Considering the unprecedented repressions in the last three years, the third media breakfast was dedicated to the situation of the Belarusian civil society in the fall of 2023.
The humanitarian catastrophe in Belarus is increasingly fading into the background in the German public. To counteract this, Razam e.V. held three events for media representatives to report on the current situation of Belarusians in the country and abroad. The first media breakfast under the title "The Art of Protest" was dedicated to Belarusian cultural workers who were forced to emigrate due to the repressions. The second media breakfast "Echoes of Silence" shed light on the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and discussed possibilities of their release. Considering the unprecedented repressions in the last three years, the third media breakfast was dedicated to the situation of the Belarusian civil society in the fall of 2023.
Public discussion "Overcoming the impasse of war and repressions. Scenarios for Belarus"
22 March 2023 | Berlin, Germany
Is Belarus a co-aggressor or another victim of Moscow’s imperialism? Is the country already occupied by Russia? What do Belarusians think about the war? Will Russia annex Belarus as a “consolation prize” if it gets pushed back in Ukraine? The developments in Belarus will be key to security and stability in Eastern Europe in the future. On our podium in Berlin we discussed these and more topics, drawing from a Scenario Workshop that we conducted with 15 international experts in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Belarus. The policy paper based on the scenario workshop is available here.
Stakeholders’ meeting regarding the European Belarus Forum in Brussels
8 February 2023 | Brussels, Belgium
Together with the Oxford Belarus Observatory, we have organised a first preparatory meeting of the European Belarus Forum to be held in Brussels. Over 40 participants from Belarus, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, and the UK exchanged their reflections on such a forum. The Forum should i.a. raise the international awareness of the current situation in Belarus and its role in the war against Ukraine as well as strengthen the exchange between political decision-makers, experts and civil society representatives.
Together with the Oxford Belarus Observatory, we have organised a first preparatory meeting of the European Belarus Forum to be held in Brussels. Over 40 participants from Belarus, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, and the UK exchanged their reflections on such a forum. The Forum should i.a. raise the international awareness of the current situation in Belarus and its role in the war against Ukraine as well as strengthen the exchange between political decision-makers, experts and civil society representatives.
Network meeting of the Belarusian diaspora in Poland
9 – 11 December 2022 | Serock, Poland
The meeting was organised by the Center of Belarusian Solidarity (CBS) and brought together over 30 Belarusian initiatives and about 50 participants from several Polish cities. The participants discussed the goals, tasks and activities of the Belarusian civil society abroad as well as challenges for the Belarusian organisations in Poland and jointly developed solutions. A two-day-meeting was accomplished by a culture-programme, which included screening of the film “Na żywo/Live” by Mara Tamkovich about the protests in Belarus in 2020.
The meeting was organised by the Center of Belarusian Solidarity (CBS) and brought together over 30 Belarusian initiatives and about 50 participants from several Polish cities. The participants discussed the goals, tasks and activities of the Belarusian civil society abroad as well as challenges for the Belarusian organisations in Poland and jointly developed solutions. A two-day-meeting was accomplished by a culture-programme, which included screening of the film “Na żywo/Live” by Mara Tamkovich about the protests in Belarus in 2020.
Network meeting of the Belarusian diaspora in Germany
25 – 27 November 2022 | Wiesbaden, Germany
The meeting was organised by the Belarusian Community RAZAM e.V. and brought together over 60 representatives of various initiatives and organisations of the Belarusian diaspora in Germany. Participants discussed ways to support the civil society in Belarus, mechanisms of political lobbying, assistance for political refugees, ways to promote the Belarusian culture and preserve the Belarusian language. The second evening was finished with a reading and a discussion by the authors Alhierd Bacharevič and Julia Cimafiejeva.
The meeting was organised by the Belarusian Community RAZAM e.V. and brought together over 60 representatives of various initiatives and organisations of the Belarusian diaspora in Germany. Participants discussed ways to support the civil society in Belarus, mechanisms of political lobbying, assistance for political refugees, ways to promote the Belarusian culture and preserve the Belarusian language. The second evening was finished with a reading and a discussion by the authors Alhierd Bacharevič and Julia Cimafiejeva.
German-Polish roundtable on the Belarusian dimension of the Russian war against Ukraine
16 – 17 November 2022 | Wojnowice, Poland
Two expert discussions have been organised with experts from Poland, Germany, and Belarus. The first discussion focused on various dimensions of Belarus’s participation in the war and how the EU reacted on it, as well as on the German and Polish policy approaches towards Belarus. The second discussion elaborated on the Belarusian official historical narratives about Poland, how they are used for propaganda purposes and how they changed after 24 February, 2022. The roundtable took place as a side event of the German-Polish-Roundtable on the East.
Two expert discussions have been organised with experts from Poland, Germany, and Belarus. The first discussion focused on various dimensions of Belarus’s participation in the war and how the EU reacted on it, as well as on the German and Polish policy approaches towards Belarus. The second discussion elaborated on the Belarusian official historical narratives about Poland, how they are used for propaganda purposes and how they changed after 24 February, 2022. The roundtable took place as a side event of the German-Polish-Roundtable on the East.
Media breakfasts in Poland
25 October / 28 December 2022 | Warsaw, Poland
The Center of Belarusian Solidarity (CBS) organised two media breakfasts to provide journalists with information about the situation of Belarusians in Poland. Media were informed about the state of affairs at the Visa Application Centres, cases of discrimination against Belarusians in Poland, cases of deportations of Belarusians from Poland as well as the prospects for an international trial against the Lukashenka regime and the launch of a universal jurisdiction procedure.
The Center of Belarusian Solidarity (CBS) organised two media breakfasts to provide journalists with information about the situation of Belarusians in Poland. Media were informed about the state of affairs at the Visa Application Centres, cases of discrimination against Belarusians in Poland, cases of deportations of Belarusians from Poland as well as the prospects for an international trial against the Lukashenka regime and the launch of a universal jurisdiction procedure.
Session “EU-Belarus Relations: An unresolved dilemma?” at the Minsk Forum XX
23 – 24 October 2022 | Brussels, Belgium
Representatives of the “European Network for Belarus” took part as partner in a Brussels session of the Minsk Forum, organised by the German-Belarusian Society (dbg). The participants visited the Belgian and the EU parliament to discuss Belarus' current involvement in the Russian war against Ukraine and the prospects for future assistance of the EU to the Belarusian democratic forces. Among important questions raised were the following: Will the Belarusian army participate in the war against Ukraine? How could the EU react in such case? Is a secure Europe without a democratic Belarus possible? Should Belarus stay an integral part of the Eastern Partnership? Will the EU be ever able to cooperate with the Lukashenka regime?
Representatives of the “European Network for Belarus” took part as partner in a Brussels session of the Minsk Forum, organised by the German-Belarusian Society (dbg). The participants visited the Belgian and the EU parliament to discuss Belarus' current involvement in the Russian war against Ukraine and the prospects for future assistance of the EU to the Belarusian democratic forces. Among important questions raised were the following: Will the Belarusian army participate in the war against Ukraine? How could the EU react in such case? Is a secure Europe without a democratic Belarus possible? Should Belarus stay an integral part of the Eastern Partnership? Will the EU be ever able to cooperate with the Lukashenka regime?
Panel discussions at the International Congress of Belarusian Studies
1 October 2022 | Kaunas, Lithuania
Within the framework the 10th International Congress of Belarusian Studies (30 September – 2 October, 2022) two panel discussions were organised within the project “European Network for Belarus”. The first discussion addressed the chances and challenges of the Belarusian diaspora in Poland and Germany after 2020. Also, the mechanisms of political influence and networking possibilities were touched upon. The second roundtable with experts from Belarus, Poland, Belgium and Germany was devoted to EU-Belarus-relations with a focus on the EU's sanction policy towards Russia and Belarus after February, 2022.
Within the framework the 10th International Congress of Belarusian Studies (30 September – 2 October, 2022) two panel discussions were organised within the project “European Network for Belarus”. The first discussion addressed the chances and challenges of the Belarusian diaspora in Poland and Germany after 2020. Also, the mechanisms of political influence and networking possibilities were touched upon. The second roundtable with experts from Belarus, Poland, Belgium and Germany was devoted to EU-Belarus-relations with a focus on the EU's sanction policy towards Russia and Belarus after February, 2022.
Advocacy visit “Media in exile and political refugees from Belarus and Russia in Germany and the EU”
11 – 13 July 2022 | Brussels, Belgium
About 20 Berlin-based NGOs, activists and media professionals took part in an advocacy, networking and fundraising visit to Brussels, organised by Dekabristen e.V.. Participants, including representatives of the “European Network for Belarus”, discussed ways to assist media in exile and political refugees from Belarus and Russia with Members of the European Parliament and officials of the European External Action Service.
About 20 Berlin-based NGOs, activists and media professionals took part in an advocacy, networking and fundraising visit to Brussels, organised by Dekabristen e.V.. Participants, including representatives of the “European Network for Belarus”, discussed ways to assist media in exile and political refugees from Belarus and Russia with Members of the European Parliament and officials of the European External Action Service.
Ongoing activities
Arbeitskreis Belarus
(Working Group on Belarus)
(Working Group on Belarus)
The Arbeitskreis Belarus, established in August 2020 in Germany, organises regular closed online and offline meetings with experts, politicians and representatives of civil society and Belarusian diaspora on timely topics related to Belarus. It also offers a monthly newsletter on Belarus in German, which provides a brief review of the most important developments in and around Belarus, relevant studies, analyses as well as events and discussions on Belarus. Visit the website of the Arbeitskreis Belarus to subscribe to the newsletter or find more information about its activities.
Online training courses for activists from Belarus
Within the platform Hub Peramen our project partners develop further education products for activists from Belarus. This is a virtual platform where activists exchange project ideas, network, and get professional support. Thus, representatives of civil society from Belarus are also integrated into the activities of the “European Network for Belarus” through the project partners, operating the training courses.
Workshops for
the Belarusian diaspora
the Belarusian diaspora
In order to strengthen the Belarusian diaspora institutionally and politically, the project partners regularly organise thematic workshops for its representatives on such topics as communication, advocacy, project and finance management, fundraising, work with refugees, mediation and conflict management etc.
