BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/11/2006

Belarus: Changes must come from within

Minsk is closer to Copenhagen than Tromso. Politically, however, the distance is great to a still very authoritative administration. The Danish Minister for Co-operation, Connie Hedegaard made this very clear on 1 November when she talked about Nordic ventures in relation to Belarus.

"Young people especially in Belarus look towards Europe in the hope of a better future. The Nordic Council of Ministers is not involved in changing regimes. Changes must come from within. However, we can give support to democratic forces. We do not want to isolate Belarus, but on the contrary, to reach out to the people of the country. There is a need for a free press, a strong civilian society and a well educated population".

Connie Hedegaard opened a seminar on 1 November in conjunction with the Nordic Council's Session. She then gave the floor to the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Per Unckel, whom she described as the driving force behind the efforts to carry through the support from the Nordic region. He recalled the experience 15 years ago, when the Nordic countries supported the Baltic States, who were seeking freedom and democracy. For that reason the Nordic Council of Ministers was quick to accept, when the EU Commission proposed joint co-operation in providing support for Belarus. Per Unckel described this programme as one of the most valuable activities he had been involved in during his four year tenure as Secretary General for the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Other speakers were the Rector for the European Humanities University (EHU) in Vilnius, Anatoly Mikhailov, and three students Anna, Anastasiya and Siarhei from this university in exile. Anatoly Mikhailov was concerned that Belarus was beginning to change from being authoritarian to becoming totalitarian. At the same time he was grateful for the support from the outside world. On 31 October he attended a meeting with the EU Commissioner for the External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, during which he told her of his pleasure in receiving funding from the Nordic countries.

The three students talked about the developments in Belarus. They still have many contacts in their homeland and feel that a certain community is beginning to develop between young people across the border. The three students were uncertain of the future but all of them hoped that the university could move back to Belarus in a few years time.

In collaboration with the EU Commission, the Nordic Council of Ministers supports the development of democracy in Belarus in order to give Belarusian students access to higher education outside of their home country. This programme comprises funding both for Belarusian students for study at the European Humanities University (EHU) in Vilnius and at several universities in the Ukraine.

Source:

http://www.norden.org/webb/news/news.asp?id=6537&lang=6

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