5th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora

This is the fifth conference bringing together Belarusians from different countries, both offline and online, to discuss current challenges, find solutions, define future prospects, share experiences, and strengthen cooperation among diaspora communities worldwide.

*The event is public. Photo and video recording will take place.

Program

01 MAY

02 MAY

The program will be announced later

09:15–10:30

Participant registration, welcome coffee/tea, access to the Coordination Council lists – stands in the foyer at the entrance

10:30–10:35

Opening remarks by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: welcome and official opening

10:35–10:45

Welcome remarks by Ivonka Survila, President of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic

10:45–11:00

Organizational remarks by moderators (program, formats, reminders about conduct and media presence, photo/video). Introductions

11:00–12:00

Roundtable discussion: “Who Are We: Belarusians Abroad, Belarusians Worldwide, Diaspora, or a National Minority?”

Discussion with representatives of Belarusian communities from different countries focused on identity and self-definition.
Through the question “who are we?”, participants explore shared challenges and opportunities for mutual strengthening.

Moderator:

Alena Shkurova / Belarusian sociologist, Doctor of Sociology, co-founder of the Belarusian Sociological Group

Speakers:

Ilona Karpiuk / Deputy Director of the Centre of Belarusian Culture in Białystok

Pavel Stankevich / Chair of the Tutaka Foundation, Białystok

Mikhail Rubin / People’s Embassy of Belarus in Germany

Yauheniya Valatouskaya / Klaipėda. Leader of the Belarusian community in Klaipėda, founder of the “Sea of Belarusian Ideas” organisation, activist, volunteer of the People’s Embassies

Sviatlana Shatsilina / Mission of Democratic Belarus in Ukraine

Nadzeya Nortan / representative of the Association of Belarusians in America

12:00–12:30

Presentation of the study “Counting Belarusians Worldwide”

Discussion of initial results from the People’s Embassies research on the number of Belarusians living in Council of Europe countries, as well as possible conclusions and hypotheses explaining the data.

Speakers:

Anastasiya Svirkova / representative of the People’s Embassy of Belarus in Austria

Vadim Mojeiko / Head of the Kościuszko Institute for Security Studies

12:30–13:00

Coffee break

13:00–14:00

Pitch market – presentations of successful diaspora practices (Part 1)

Presentation of best practices from diaspora communities worldwide.

Moderator:

Vitaliy Malchanau / Representative of the Democratic Forces of Belarus in Estonia and Latvia

Speakers:

Lithuania, Klaipėda. Alena Volkava / Representative of the People’s Embassy of Belarus in Lithuania, volunteer of “Sea of Belarusian Ideas”. “From Initiative to Regular Activity of Belarusians in Klaipėda: Summary of 2022–2026”

Italy. Yuliya Yukhno / Head of the Belarusian Community Centre in Italy, representative of the People’s Embassy of Belarus in Italy. “The Belarusian Cause in Italy: Italian Rhythm, Belarusian Style”

Georgia. Seviaryn Kviatkouski / “‘Aksyarodak’ in Batumi — a Hub for Meetings of Belarusians from the Homeland and Across the World”

Germany. Maryia Rudz / “5 years of Razam in Germany: Achievements and Successes”

Czechia. Aliaksandr Parshankou / Belarusian Students in Czechia (Bělaruské studentstvo ČR, z.s.). “On Belarusian Students in Czechia: Formally and Informally”

Sweden. Viktoryia Valkovich / “Specifics of Community Work in a Country with a Small Belarusian Population”

14:00–14:45

Lunch

14:45–15:45

Pitch market – presentations of successful diaspora practices (Part 2)

Presentation of best practices from diaspora communities worldwide.

Moderator:

Vitaliy Malchanau / Representative of the Democratic Forces of Belarus in Estonia and Latvia

Speakers:

Slovenia. Aliaksandra Mamayeva / Representative of the People’s Embassy in Slovenia. “How to Open a Bank Account in Any EU Country?”

USA. Nadzeya Nortan / Representative of the Association of Belarusians in America. “Belarusian America: In Action!”

Austria. Alisa Ryzhychenka / “From Legal Status and Cultural Diplomacy to Economic Integration through Education and Business Support”

Spain / “Recognition of Expired Belarusian Passports: The Experience of Belarusians in Spain”

France. Katsiaryna Bavret / “Belarusians in France: Self-Organization, Solidarity, and Cultural Diplomacy”

Poland. Uladzimir Bulauski / “Cultural Management in Exile: Working with Institutions in Łódź”

Yury Ziankovich / Lawyer, former political prisoner. Leader of the “Belarusians Who Act” list for the Coordination Council. “Belarus: From a System of Hostage-Taking to Subjectivity”

15:45–16:45

“What (Doesn’t) Work: How Can Diaspora Cooperate with Donors?”

Panel focused on practical interaction between donors and diaspora initiatives: priorities, funding opportunities, and entry points for diaspora initiatives and NGOs.

Moderator:

Hanna Liubakova / non-resident senior fellow, Atlantic Council

16:45–17:15

Coffee break

17:15–18:30

Debate with Coordination Council candidates: “Why Do Belarusians Abroad Need the Coordination Council?”

What has been done and what will be done in terms of representation, advocacy, and lobbying for diaspora interests by candidates to the Coordination Council? Successful cases and plans for the upcoming term.

Moderator:

Vitaly Tsyhankou / journalist and political analyst

Participants:

representatives of electoral lists running in the Coordination Council (4th convocation)

18:30–19:00

Summary and closing of Day 1

09:15–10:00

Participant registration, welcome coffee/tea

10:00–10:10

Organizational remarks by moderators

10:10–11:00

Panel discussion: “Political Advocacy: Challenges and Opportunities”

Cooperation with politicians, officials, and local authorities. Best practices and possible ways to turn diaspora engagement with the democratic forces into a long-term process.

Moderator:

Dzmitry Mitskevich / journalist at Belsat, military analyst

Speakers:

Franak Viacorka / Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Pavel Latushka / Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management

Alisa Ryzhychenka / Representative for Economy and Finance of the United Transitional Cabinet. Head of the “European Choice” campaign team for the Coordination Council

Iryna Khalopitsa / Deputy Chair of the International Commission of the Coordination Council. Head of the delegation of the Belarusian democratic forces to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Ryta Hatsikh / Member of the Coordination Council, “Latushka's Team and Movement ‘For Freedom’” faction. Delegate of the Coordination Council to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Dmitri Vasserman / Representative of the People’s Embassy of Belarus in Sweden

Kryscina Šyjanok / Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic

11:00–11:30

Presentation of the project “Mapping the Problems of Belarusians Abroad”

Research on challenges faced by Belarusians abroad and recommendations for host countries to address those.

Moderator:

Aliaksandra Mamayeva / chair of the International Commission of the Coordination Council, representative of the People’s Embassies in Slovenia

11:30–11:40

Division into working groups

11:40–12:10

Coffee break

12:10–14:00

Group work: “Joint Solutions to Support Belarusians Abroad”

Interactive sessions aimed at identifying key challenges, analyzing successful and problematic cases, and developing practical recommendations and joint actions for diaspora and the democratic forces of Belarus.

Thematic groups:

Passports and documentation – what Belarusians without valid passports abroad can do.

Moderator — Aliaksandra Mamayeva / Chair of the International Commission of the Coordination Council, Representative of the People’s Embassies in Slovenia
Security and countering transnational repression – how Belarusians abroad can respond to the regime’s threats.

Moderator — Katsiaryna Bavret / Lawyer. Representative of the People’s Consulate of Belarus in Nice. President of the “League of Brotherhood” Association of Belarusians
Belarusian identity vs. assimilation – preserving and developing national identity.

Moderator — Pavel Barkouski / Representative for National Revival of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
The reputation of Belarusians in host societies – building a positive image and effective communication.

Moderator — Aliaksei Dzikavitski / Head of the “Belarusian Diaspora in Poland” Association
Nationwide diaspora projects – prospects for large-scale initiatives uniting Belarusians abroad.

Moderator — Kseniya Lutskina / Journalist