The Congress of New Diaspora of Europe and the United States took place in Estonia

April 4, 2008 was the last day of the Congress of New Diaspora of Europe and the United States, as well as of Belarusian democratic forces, which took place in Tallinn. Delegates from more than 25 different organizations, parties, and groups took part in it. They were active young Belarusians from Belarus, the EU, and the United States, who were interested in cooperating with each other. Among the participants were alsohonored guests, representatives of the older generation of Belarusian Diasporaa and Belarusian political and cultural elites: Zyanon Paznyak, Ales’ Shaternik, and Yakau Gutman.

The participants of the Congress has discovered common values and strategic goals despite the fact they have different vision of current situation in Belarus and different political views. Besides that they have outlined an action plan in the field of informational work, protection of interests of Belarusian democratic forces, and promotion of Belarusian culture in their own countries. On the basis of common position on future of Belarus and perspective directions of joint activities they have signed a Letter of Intent upon the outcomes of the Congress. During informal personal interactions the participants of the Congress have got to know each other better, discussed opportunities for cooperation and mutual aid. The participants have pointed out that there is a need to coordinate the activities and increase the effectiveness of work of Diaspora in the Baltics, Scandinavia, and the United States.

The participants of the Congress of new Diaspora had fruitful meetings with Ms Christina Ojuland, Vice-Speaker of the Estonian Parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Mr Paet, members of Estonian Parliament, citizens, journalists, and intellectuals. They discussed the situation in Belarus, role of the Diaspora in democratization process, and how Estonia can help in achieving that. There were also meetings held with diplomats from the United States and Sweden accredited in Estonia. The participants of the Congress provided them with information on actual situation in Belarus and possible actions to be taken to advance democratic change in the country.

First Congress of New Belarusian Diaspora of Europe and the United States was organized by the Third Way international community, with the assistance of initiatives and organizations included in Belarusian international movement, with the support from Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonian Parliament, Belarus’ support group, Open Estonia foundation, Embassy of the United States of America in Estonia and Embassy of Sweden in Estonia.

The participants have decided to make the Congress a annual event and to create a cooperation network among each other.

Zmitcer Dashkevich Awarded an Order

This is an Order of Freedom of Kastus’ Kalinouski made of bronze by Belarusian sculptor Ales’ Shaternik. The Order has an image of Kastus’ Kalinouski and an inscription: “Live in Freedom!”

Zmitcer Dashkevich, one of the leaders of the unregistered organization Malady Front (“Youth Front”), is the first person to have been awarded this Order. Zmitcer Dashkevich was awarded for his courage and integrity in fighting for freedom.

Initiators and founders of the award are youth organizations and activists of the Time to Win! Manifesto that includes with Belarusian Youth Movement of America, Bunt, Iniciativa, Pavetra, Poglyad, and the Third Way.

The gala ceremony of symbolic decorating, which took place in the Museum of Occupation in Tallinn on April 4, 2008, was attended by youth activists – participants of the Congress, young Belarusian Diaspora from European Union and the United States, youth activists from Belarus, as well as representatives from Estonia and leader of the Conservative Christian Party of Belarusian People’s Front Zyanon Paznyak.

Since Zmitcer Dashkevich had not been able to come to Tallinn, the participants of the event communicated via phone.

More than 20 youth activists from the United States, France, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Belarus took part in the four days Congress of New Diaspora, as it had been named by the organizers.

The participants agreed upon course of joint actions aimed at promoting Belarusian culture and Belarusian national interests abroad, according to Pavel Marozau, one the main initiators and organizers of the Congress and coordinator of the Third Way. Soon official website of the Congress will appear.

The list of organizers includes, besides Belarusian youth organizations, Estonian organization The New Way for Belarus, Estonian Institute of Foreign Policy, and For Free Belarus group in the Estonian Parliament.

The participants of the Congress also met with Vice-Speaker of Estonian Parliament Kristina Ojuland and Mister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Paet.

Radio Svaboda