Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered the closing remarks at the Next Gen: Security Conference in The Hague. The event brought together experts, young leaders, and researchers to discuss the future of international security, democracy, and global challenges.
The conference featured:
- Rob Jetten, Prime Minister of the Netherlands;
- Sauli Niinistö, former President of Finland;
- Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former NATO Secretary General;
- Kajsa Ollongren; EU Special Representative for Human Rights;
- Benedetta Berti, Chair of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly;
- Onno Eichelsheim, Commander of the Netherlands Armed Forces;
- Derk Boswijk, Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel of the Netherlands;
- Willemien Aerdts, Minister for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty;
- other international politicians, diplomats, and security experts.
In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the connection between Europe’s security and Belarus’s future, called for continued support for Ukraine, and urged democracies to stand against authoritarian regimes:
“A dictatorship that destroys democracy at home becomes a security threat abroad. A regime that tortures its own citizens will not respect its neighbors. A regime dependent on the Kremlin will not defend its own sovereignty. Today, Belarus is becoming not only a prison for Belarusians but also a danger to Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and the entire region. Only a democratic and independent Belarus, as part of the European family, can guarantee peace and stability in the region”.
She stressed that a country’s real security depends not only on its military strength, but also on strong democratic institutions, education, and civil society:
“Democratic resilience begins long before a crisis. It begins in schools and universities, where young people learn to think critically. In independent media, where facts protect against lies. In civil society, where people learn to organize and take responsibility. In local communities, where citizens see that their voices matter. Everything begins with the rule of law, accountable institutions, free elections, and the simple belief that no one stands above the law. Authoritarian regimes understand this very well. They spread disinformation so that people begin to doubt everything. That is why your work — the work of young leaders — is so important”.
