Ulad Vialichka: Europeanization of Belarus - mission possible!

Civil society and Europeanization were the two main concepts, reasoned upon by the chairman of the International consortium "EuroBelarus" Ulad Vialichka within a public lecture in the series "Urbi et Orbi", held by the Flying University. The lecturer...

Civil society and Europeanization were the two main concepts, reasoned upon by the chairman of the International consortium "EuroBelarus" Ulad Vialichka within a public lecture in the series "Urbi et Orbi", held by the Flying University. The lecturer was reasoning on as a practitioner working directly in the civil society field and the Europeanization for many years already.

What are civil society and Europeanization? What is their place in the Belarusian socio-political processes?

The statement "those who care" is not an exhaustive civil society description. According to Ulad Vialichka, actual Belarusian society is everything that thinks and organizes itself as independent being (non-governmental organizations, movements, initiatives, companies, media, well-known and respected persons). It is impossible not to consider last year's silent campaigns "Revolution through social networks" and “Stop Petrol” rallies being the civil society components.

- Society should build itself up in all "zones of responsibility" in the country, is convinced Ulad Vialichka. In the relations with the state civil society wants to be responsible not for "buttons", but for a "coat". For example, the Ministry of Education is responsible for education in the country. A similar system – let’s call it "social ministries" - should provide knowledge, expertise, reasoned criticism and proposals from the civil society. In the very higher education field such a role can be performed by the Public Bologna Committee. And thereby it should be made in many areas.

Civil society and Europeanization are closely related. Civil society is the source, the term, the actor, the result of Europeanization.

Under the term of Europeanization the lecturer means the inclusion of Belarus, the Belarusian nation into the European system of thought and activity.

Europeanization is one of the three elements of the Cultured Politics program, developed by Uladzimir Matskevich. It consists of three processes: de-Sovietization, Belarusization and Europeanization. This is the base of the pyramid, while its apex is the concept of "We are one people", which introduces the concept of national reconciliation. So far as we have common problems to be overcome together. And Europeanization is the answer to the many challenges that face Belarus.

Where then the Europeanization should be directed to?

Firstly, to the Belarusian society, which faces the problem of self-identity of a person and society, it does not understand its social and institutional role. A striking example of such violation of self-identity is the state distribution of secondary schools’ and higher education institutions’ graduates. This system does not allow a citizen to take the decision on his first job position.

Secondly, to the culture. Actually there are many flawed progressive and cultural patterns (codes); there exists a problem of relations between exclusive and mass character. For example, places such as "Art-siadziba” (“Art-estate") are the European phenomena, but these are a sort of exclusivity; while things and processes having mass character in the Belarusian culture are very far from European character.

Thirdly, to the power. Its features - disproportion, swelling (expansion of power in all directions), verticalization and exclusivity (derived from the word exclusive – exclusion of the society from possibility of having impact on the government to the extent considered to be European).

Fourthly, to the information space and the media; there limited range of public positions, alternative vision, defects in the popularization of modern progressive concepts are observed. For example, the human rights concept in the mind of the average Belarusian is transformed into a chain of "human rights - the opposition - the policy" and thus such a neutral, positive concept is being politicized.

Fifthly, to the communication - public, institutional. There is a shortage and low impact of sites and areas for socio-political debates.

Sixthly, to the semiotic environment. Critically out-of-date character and inadequacy of symbolic-nominative space; how else can be considered monuments to Lenin in each regional center? As the local communities’ value? Even if this isn’t true, even so the influence of Lenin remains broad, and this is not a European feature.

When Belarus becomes a full-fledged European country?

Ulad’s response: "When Belarus will demonstrate the thinking, actions and communication, based on the ability to be responsible not only for their country, but also for the European processes". That is, approval of European values, norms, behavior, decision-making’ models, perception of itself being a part of the European space. But first we need to define ourselves, to understand what traits of the Belarusian character should join the European space. We should understand what we are to offer to the European table.

Then may the Europeanization of Belarus be possible, could the mission be accomplished?

Ulad’s response: Yes! As soon as a number of external factors are forcing the Europeanization of Belarus to come to life. In favor of Europeanization are globalization, information society, European policy and the national interests (the sovereignty is not lost in favor of Europeanization). The Belarusian society is tired of lack of adequate development paradigms and is currently seeking the answer to the question: "What are we building?" As soon as the tales of socio-oriented society are no longer alive.

Europeanization is the answer to the Belarusian challenges. Civil society is no longer an alien “implant”, but quite a natural structure in Belarus. And it is pleases that today’s civil society in Belarus is becoming a systemic actor for development and change.