Ulad Vialichka: Civil society interests and interest of society itself lie in different dimensions

This conclusion can be drawn from the research conducted by Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISS). However, we still can see the point where these two dimensions coincide.

Before the first meeting of the Forum of Political opposition and civil society within the framework of “Reforum” project coordinated by BISS the participants were provided with two researches – a social poll and a civil society poll. The results astonish with how differently two groups think about the reforms in Belarus. While the population is worried about health service, education and is absolutely indifferent about political change, civil society assumes political change to be its priority. The need for reforms is perceived differently, too: among the population the answer “definitely yes” gave 40 per cent, and among civil society representatives 91 per cent answered positively to this question.

Ulad Vialichka, the head of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus”, and a member of the “Reforum” project Council, shared his opinion about the results of the sociological study conducted by BISS with “EuroBelarus” Information Service.

- Let me note one negative fact, which, though, didn’t come as a surprise. When we questioned the population about the reforms the vast majority chose the spheres, which can be called “materialistic” – health service, education, communal housekeeping. All this proves that our fellow citizens are trying to live a better life, but see the shift to a “better life” not through the notions of freedom, democratic rights, but through the indicators of their own prosperity, the quality of social services. It sharply differs from the situation in Ukraine, where people made sacrifices to change the situation in the country. However, there is nothing surprising in that. Over the years people were taught these principles by the state, which cared for people’s welfare through the above mentioned spheres. That is why people choose reforms in this direction as a priority.

- I.e. the famous principle “a nip and a piece of meat” is working, isn’t it?

- In a broader sense, yes. The poll touched upon the necessity of reforms, which means that the questions concerned change, not the status quo, i.e. the continuation of “a nip and a piece of meat”. But on the other hand, we should pay attention a number of positive moments that I noticed in this poll. For example, high percentage of responses were given in favor of Belarus’ sovereignty and country’s development as an independent state. Yet again, under the current situation this is a very important and positive signal.

If we compare social poll and civil society poll we will run into a considerable difference in priorities. Civil society puts political and court reforms first, though the economy is also important for it. Obviously, the conclusion we can draw from such difference in priorities is that civil society is still very far away from the people. However, I believe that being the quintessence of the interests of the Belarusan people, civil society understands how the mechanism of change is working, and according to this understanding claims that without political change no other reforms are possible.

Of course, such gap demonstrates that the relations between average citizens and civil society are very poor. On the one hand, we should work with the subjects, which are of importance for the respondents of the first poll. But we should also explain the direct connection between political reforms and positive changes in the spheres that have no direct connection with politics at first sight. We should keep on working and suggesting other views and interpretations of the things important for average citizens, we should share our opinions and judgments with society on a whole range of questions, from language issue to the need of political reforms in the life of our country.