Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

In anticipation of the New Year, Belarus Digest publishes Pact's overview of some of the most notable Belarus’ civil society developments in 2015.

For the fourth straight year, Pact presents its version of the top 10 civic initiatives in order to acknowledge individuals and ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

As a member of the Board of Governors of the European Humanities University and a member of the current search committee, I read with interest but also distinct concern Mr. Kharytonau’s recent article “EHU Rector Selection: Time to Fix Mistakes and Improve Credibility.”

I ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Belarusian and foreign analysts examine Belarus' peace efforts, the role of oil in the Eurasian Economic Union, challenges of post-Soviet education and other topics.

Belarus and the Eurasian Economic Union: Only about Oil? - The German Economic Team Belarus (GET Belarus) ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

On 19 November the European Humanities University (EHU), also knows as Belarusian university in exile, held elections for its Senate. Although the Senate is just one of several bodies which govern EHU, the result may affect the direction of EHU's reforms.

Unlike previous ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Universities in the United States often bring to mind school spirit, frat parties and caffeine-fueled late nights studying at the library. I was not expecting the same situation in Belarusian universities, but I did hope for some semblance of a college lifestyle.

What I found ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The European Humanities University (EHU) certainly welcomes the attention of the Belarus Digest team (including the Centre for Transition Studies) and any and all constructive discussions about EHU's ongoing mission.

Regrettably, the recent Belarus Digest article EHU: How ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The European Humanities University (EHU) was forced into exile in 2004 when the Belarusian authorities withdrew its licence. This followed the EHU’s refusal to acquiesce to government pressure to change its leadership. The exiled University found its new home in Vilnius, which ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Festival of non-formal education, National Gender Platform approval, discussion of Minsk brand and human rights defenders of the year were among the most notable civil society events in Belarus last week.

Festival of Non-Formal Education. On 7-9 December, the 4th Festival of ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The Kalinowski scholarship for young Belarusians wishing to study in Poland is six years old but not not without controversy.  While those who run it underline its success, the post-graduation reality sometimes raises serious questions.

In 2006  the Polish government launched ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

In Belarus, being an academic means that you work in an institution controlled by the state. Sometimes you cannot be a true scholar because you have to produce the "official truth". Otherwise you risk being repressed for disloyalty.

A good illustration of that is last month’s ( Read more... )