Context

The current situation in Belarus is characterised by the unprecedented scale of repression by the authoritarian government of/against its own people: the state has forcibly displaced the core of civil society outside its borders, and those who remained are being subdued, abused and tortured. This has been further exacerbated by the regime’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, bringing fear and trauma to an already scarred nation. Yet, Belarusians continue to resist, both inside and outside the country, fighting for their homeland - just like in a real war, only this time clandestinely and underground; with the support and advocacy staying outside the “barbed-wire walls” of the Belarusian state.

Lithuania, as a neighbouring country, has always been a vocal and staunch supporter of a democratic Belarus. In times of the utmost need, it offered much needed support and shelter to the hundreds of thousands fleeing Belarusians, with the latter now forming a physical hub for rehabilitation and fight beyond the Belarusian borders. Yet, the influx of traumatised refugees has had an enormous impact on the host country too, changing its demographics and stretching its resources thinly. To continue mobilising public support for its suffering neighbour, and to fight injustice, oppression, war and violence, we propose to have a half-day workshop “Belarus and Belarusians in 2023+: what can be done to support them from Lithuania?” with the participation of all-level stakeholders from Lithuania and Belarus, and other neighbouring countries.

IGSD Director Prof Elena Korosteleva will be jointly hosting this event at Vilinus University. For more information please see the following website.
https://www.tspmi.vu.lt/en/events/workshop-belarus-and-belarusians-2020/

The event can also be followed on Facebook:

https://fb.me/e/3S1JSIULi

Workshop Agenda

Based on the book Belarus in the XXI century: between dictatorship and democracy we will organise a discussion to raise awareness of current developments in Belarus, and to procure policy recommendations regarding international support of the Belarusian democratic movement, against the non-democratic government in the context of ongoing Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The event consists of three parts:

1. Book presentation (with a focus on a societal dimension) + Q&A session

2. World café on a European (Lithuanian) support and strategy for Belarus

With discussions on the following:

• Belarus and regional security: What can and should European and Belarusian democratic politicians do? (1
• Belarus in the international agenda: what is the EU/Lithuania strategy towards Belarus?
• Belarusian economy: What can be done to support it?
• Belarusian society and civil society: What can be done to support it?

3. Film preview by Jon Parker + reception & networking