The Soviet Legacy Problem or why Belarus Resists Europeanisation

Democratic transformation in some way affected the entire European part of the former Soviet Union. Only Belarus, after a short transition period between 1991 and 1995, returned to the restoration of a neo-Soviet authoritarian form of government. EU policy towards Belarus as well as attempts of the democratic part of Belarusian society to change the situation remained unsuccessful during this period. At the same time, the archaic forms of sovietised management and of the organisation of economy and public life are, paradoxically, not only able to survive in conditions of modernity, but also to develop and expand. Why did Belarus not follow the European path of development of its neighbours? What are the reasons for the stability of the Belarusian authoritarian model? Is there a threat that the ‘Belarusian model’ will expand into the region? Who and what resists the Europeanisation of Belarus and are there any effective mechanisms and solutions for overcoming this resistance?

Venue
Vertretung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen
bei der Europäischen Union
Rue Montoyer 47
1000 Brussels
      
Speakers
Uladzimir Matskevich, philosopher, methodologist; Head of  Interim Coordination Committee of the Belarusian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
Andrei Yahorau, political analyst, Director of the Centre for European Transformation (CET)
Tatiana Poshevalova, expert in civil society development,
Programme Manager of the International Consortium 
EuroBelarus
Moderator
Claude Weinber, Director Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
Welcome
Rainer Steffens, Head Representation NRW

No admittance without confirmed registration.  E-Mail registration only. 

The meeting will take place under Chatham House Rule.