The National Platform of the EaP CSF defined its positions

02.07.2012 | Society | Information service of "EuroBelarus" | Translated by Yauhenija Kamarova, EuroBelarus,

The Conference of the Belarusian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum took place in Minsk on June 29-30. Belarusian CSOs assigned their leaders, discussed the strategy of its development and adopted a series of final...

On the first day of the Conference "The National Platform: 2012 - new reality in no new conditions", chairman of Interim Coordination Committee Uladzimir Matskevich marked the real prospects for civil society in Belarus: "Either we will stay there, where we have been pushed into, or we will become the ones who we want to be in the democratic Belarus".

The calls of Uladzimir Matskevich for greater activity and increase of effectiveness not in words but in deeds, were backed by a member of Interim Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Platform, chairperson of International Consortium “EuroBelarus” Ulad Vialichka, noted that it was time to the Platform to “become adult”.

Somewhat different view on the prospects of the National Platform development was voiced by a member of the ICC of the National Platform (NP), chairman of the Assembly of NGOs Siarhei Mackevich: "I agree that we have nothing to boast particularly if watching what is happening now in the country. Herewith, there are moments in which the position of the Assembly of NGOs is different from the positions of other participants of the National Platform". In the proposed draft of the Concept of Development of the National Platform, elaborated by the representatives of the Consortium "EuroBelarus", Siarhei Mackevich assessed critically such moments, as the expansion of the National Platform’s functions beyond Belarusian-European cooperation, the establishment of the management structure of the NP instead of the Steering Committee, and some elements of the proposed system of elections to the governing bodies of the NP.

The second day of the Conference was full of events, which to a greater or lesser extent would predetermine the development of civil society of Belarus in the near future. The Coordination Committee of the National Platform was formed by open vote, as well as the head of the new composition of the Committee for the coming year was elected.

As a result of the voting of the Belarusian public organizations’ representatives, the Coordination Committee of the National Platform of the EaP CSF included Uladzimir Matskevich, chairperson of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus” Ulad Vialichka, coordinator of the Office on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Sergey Drozdovsky, deputy chairman of the Movement "For Freedom" Yury Hubarevich, member of Council of the initiative "Gomel Democratic Forum” Piotr Kuzniatsou, director of the Legal Transformation Centre (Lawtrend) Olga Smolianko and chairman of the Assembly of NGOs Siarhei Mackevich. The honorary member the Coordination Committee was re-elected an imprisoned human rights activist Ales Bialiatsky.

Uladzimir Matskevich, Siarhei Mackevich and Ulad Vialichka were nominated to the position of the Committee chairman. Siarhei Mackevich and Ulad Vialichka recused themselves. 33 out of 38 representatives of the National Platform of the EaP CSF, having credentials, voted for the candidacy of Uladzimir Matskevich.

It had been expected that the Concept of Development of the National Platform would also be adopted at the Conference. However, under the discussion of the draft of the Concept, proposed by the International Consortium "EuroBelarus", some comments and proposals from the Conference’ participants were pronounced, and therefore the adoption of this document has been postponed until the next Conference of the Belarusian EaP CSF National Platform, which is scheduled to hold this autumn. Based on the decision of the Conference, the Working Concept Group of the NP was established. In a few months it is to take into account the wishes and recommendations of all stakeholders, resulting in a draft of the new Concept of Development of the National Platform.

During the Conference, civil society organizations of Belarus have been defined, recommended by the NP to take part in the forthcoming meeting of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, which is to be held in November in Stockholm. The National Platform recommended the list of 32 organizations for further selection.

Another outcome of the Conference was the adoption of several final resolutions: "On the release of political prisoners", "On the European dialogue on modernization with Belarusian society" and "On ensuring the freedom of the electoral process".

Resolution_on_EDM.pdf

Resolution_on_freedom_of_elections.pdf

Resolution_on_Release_political_prisoners.pdf

Post-release eng.pdf

Recommendation list NP.pdf

Other news section «Society»

What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?

The Belarus Committee of ICOMOS announces the collection of cases on the effectiveness of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values as a tool of the safeguarding the cultural monuments.

The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?

On March 27-28, the Belarus ICOMOS and the EuroBelarus held an online expert workshop on expanding opportunities for community participation in the governance of historical and cultural heritage.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum

The Forum was devoted not so much to the outputs as to the challenges and prospects after the creation and signing of local agendas.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.

“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”

In Stoubcy, they talked about universal design and conducted pilot monitoring of two urban sites accessibility.

Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished

"Specificity is different, but the priority is general." In Valożyn, a local strategy for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.

How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities

The campaign "Agenda 50" was summed up in Ščučyn, and a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed there.

A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin

The regional center has become the second city in Belarus where the local plan for the implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.

“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation

Representatives of the campaign “Agenda 50” from five pilot cities discussed achievements in creating local agendas for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed

It is noteworthy that out of the five pilot cities, Stoubcy was the last to join the campaign “Agenda 50”, but the first one to complete the preparation of the local agenda.

The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin

On May 28, the city hosted a presentation of the results of the project "Equal to Equal" which was dedicated to monitoring the barrier-free environment in the city.

“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”

In Babruysk, wheelchair users are fighting discrimination.

The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations

What results has the campaign "Agenda 50" given, what helps to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the regions?

The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata

Experts in Valožyn have determined that the quality of people’s life depends on their awareness.

The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document

On March 3, members of the campaign "Agenda 50" from different Belarusian cities met in Minsk. The campaign is aimed at the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)

There are being implemented three projects under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities campaign in the city of Babruysk.

One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot

In Ščučyn, people with disabilities learned to be leaders and to advocate their interests.

Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)

In Stolin, social organizations and local authorities are implementing a project aimed at independent living of persons with disabilities, and creating local agenda for the district.

Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”

Will creation of local agendas be an effective tool in ensuring rights of persons with disabilities in Belarus, just as it was in Poland?

Opinions

Andrei Yahorau — Al Jazeera: “Lukashenko is irresponsible”

He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”

Will creation of local agendas be an effective tool in ensuring rights of persons with disabilities in Belarus, just as it was in Poland?
Andrei Yahorau: Everything depends on people in the regions

A social project "Equal to Equal" has been launched in Stolin district under the campaign "Agenda 50".