Ecological Forum resulted in the adoption of a joint resolution and 8 annexes

The work of the ecologists concluded in a joint resolution and 8 subject annexes, in which the position of the participants of the Forum on the most topical ecological problems is reflected.

The Forum of Ecological Organizations 2013 took place in Minsk on October 18-20. In the work of the Forum participated more than 120 specialists, including the representatives of ecological organizations, state nature conservation structures and educational institutes, as well as guests from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Norway. The work of the ecologists resulted in a joint resolution and 8 subject annexes, in which the position of the participants of the Forum on the most topical ecological problems is reflected.

The Forum was mainly dedicated to the problems of public ecological control. As Jaraslau Bekish has earlier reported, the main goal wasto promote eco-friendly lifestyle among Belarusans, develop civil society in a way it could perceive and consider ecological values in their activity, introduce reasonable policies, ecologic legislation and law enforcement practice in the country. Thus, at the Forum a number of examples and possibilities for ecological control were considered. Special attention at the Forum was given to the discussion of common priorities and the state of the ecological movement in general. It was for the first time that the survey “On potential of cooperation between ecological organizations in solving common problems” was presented.

According to Jaraslau Bekish, the member of the Forum Organization Committee, “the Forum helped to synchronize the starting point of green movement development that we already have and the common plan for its development, which is urgently needed now”.

But it was not only a joint resolution adopted by all participants and 8 subject annexes, in which the position of the participants of the Forum on the most topical ecological problems is reflected. Ecological Forum has also supported Open appeal against the build-up of the territory that belongs to the Republican Eco-Biological Centre and a Proposal of the ecological association “Green network” to amend the Regulations “On public ecological coordination council under the Environmental Ministry”. All the documents adopted by Ecological Forum 2013 will soon be available at the  http://econgoforum.info/.

In the interview with the EuroBelarus Information Service Jaraslau Bekish, the coordinator of the ecological association “Green network” noted that if ecologists don’t elaborate a common strategy the decision will be taken for them.

- Final resolution of the Forum reflects gradual deterioration in the sphere of environmental politics and control, as well as deterioration of the ecological situation in the country. The document states the presence of new risks, including that from large investment projects. We observe the selective choice of experts, ecologists, representatives of academic community and civil society when it comes to public discussion of the above mentioned problems.

As Jaraslau Bekish stated, “the main problem we are facing and trying to resolve is how we can improve the existing situation. We have addressed about 10 policies and recommendations to the concrete addressees: the President, the Government, the Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and to the others”.

He also talked about the main challenges and threats for the ecologists that are to come within next two years.

- First challenge is connected with the controlling system that regulates our activity. At the moment the Parliament discusses changes and amendments to the laws on public organizations and political parties. External environment is hostile towards public organizations, including the ecological ones. That is why we have to solve the question of how to survive in these harsh conditions and continue our mission.

Second challenge consists in the following: how public ecological movement can become an independent actor of ecological politics? I am greatly concerned that if an eco-movement doesn’t manage to come up with common stance on all lines, then it will be actors from the outside who will decide for us, i.e. the state, political parties, and all sorts of frauds. For us, to elaborate common strategy or, at least, joint opinion, is principal. And the Forum helped us to cope with this challenge.