Thursday 28 March 2024 | 18:27

Iryna Dubianieckaja: The Congress of Belarusan Studies is a chance to enter the international libera

04.09.2012  |  Society   |  Yulia Inysheva, EuroBelarus, photo by labadzenka.by,  
Iryna Dubianieckaja: The Congress of Belarusan Studies is a chance to enter the international libera

As far as the situation with humanities in Belarus is rather disappointing, such events as the International Congress of Belarusan Studies are very useful, making scientists meet for joint talks and d

 

 -  The thing we lack is thinking over not only everyday situation in which we live in, but also thinking over ideas, thinking Belarus in the context of world science; where we are, what we do and why we are detached from the rest of the world. The International Congress of Belarusan Studies is a chance to enter or to return into the international humanitarian context, commented a member of the Congress, Doctor of Theology Iryna Dubianieckaja to the EuroBelarus Information Service.

 The participants of the International Congress are specialists in Belarusan philology from different countries. The previous year the Congress welcomed about 200 participants, whereas this year the figure doubled. Belarusan specialists showed great interest in the event as the organizers provided it with many new breakup groups. Thus, the Congress introduces more and more directions of thinking.

 The Congress of Belarusan Studies aims at changing intellectual and humanitarian situation in Belarus, sets a common direction of thought. Discussing the problems of Belarusan studies and intellectual scientists’ cooperation are per se useful.

- Simply talking together is already very useful, considers Iryna Dubianieckaja. At first it may have no applied significance. If some applied results will arise, it will be perfectly well, and sooner or later certain results will be manifested. But first of all we need the intellectual paradigm to be developed and strengthened for people involved in humanities’ research saw the need of society in their work, felt that they are not the first who go this way, knew that there exists a discourse, the science, there is what to discuss with colleagues and where to develop.

Thereby, there will be benefit simply from discussing of certain intellectual structures. If someone talks, others listen and react in some way – it is beneficial in any case, as it gives impulse for the next step for thinking.

- We have ceased thinking Belarus together. We have ceased thinking in the direction of being Belarusans, speaking Belarusan. Different disciplines of Belarusan studies exist as if by themselves, being detached from the human civilization. We need to rethink over Belarus anew, to look thoroughly together who we are and where we are. Rethinking Belarus over is comprehension of what Belarus is as an intellectual integrity, what it can give to the world and what the world can give to it, how Belarus can fit in with the world, thinks Iryna Dubianieckaja. It is a vicious idea, coming up with someone. We should not come up with the rest of the world, but suggest something that hasn’t been yet proposed there. This is our goal. The participants of the Congress have a great intellectual potential, we can offer quicker something to the world. If we look at Belarus from Europe, America or Australia, we will see that they are simply not interested in what is happening in our country. But they should be interested, if we’ll propose something at the international level, with the proper perspective. So, if Belarus will be adequately presented in the global humanitarian context, we will be seen from the other sites of the world.

 

 

Other news section «Society»

What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
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?
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 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 “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
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”
“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
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
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
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
“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
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
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.”
“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
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
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
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)
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
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)
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”
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?
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“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.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

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.