On Human Rights Day, Friday the 10th of December, a debate called 'Belarus Connection' takes place at Club Bitterzoet in Amsterdam, starting at 18.30 o'clock.

Reason for this event is the upcoming presidential elections on the 19th of December in Belarus. This country, merely two countries away from the Netherlands, is according to the OESO-DAC-criteria, a developing country. There is no freedom of speech and the people are threatened and suppressed. The Netherlands is, after Russia, the greatest trading partners with Belarus. During this event, Belarusian and Dutch experts from the trading business, politics, science and human rights organizations will discuss the role of the Netherlands in stimulating democracy and development in Belarus. Belarus Connection is an initiative of the Youth Educational Club 'Newline' (Belarus), Worldconnectors and the Earth Charter Youth Network.

Reformation
How long will Belarus remain an authoritarian state where human rights are violated, missing political persons a daily occurrence and where there is complete state control over the media and social movement? Can the Netherlands, as an important business partner, provide a positive contribution to changes in Belarus. And how does this reformation influence business between the Netherlands and Belarus? We will discuss this with amongst others, Aleksandr Hrytsanau, a Belarusian intellectual and scientist; Jan Marinus Wiersma, PvdA-Europarlementariar; Han ten Broeke, VVD-Member of the Dutch House of Representatives; and Lera Krasovskaya, campaign leader of “We Remember” and daughter of a missing activist. Worldconnectors Sylvia Borren will launch the event.

Youth
There will be many adolescents expected at the Belarus Connection. Presenting the evening is in the hands of Rutger Bults (29 years old), who works for BoP Innovation Center. Co-organizer Dmitry Savelau (24 years old) says the following: "The key problem in Belarus is the Soviet mentality of civil illiteracy and dependency realized in inaction of the elderly. The hope, therefore, is in young people to act for concrete democratic reforms. Networking and sharing knowledge among the youth from Belarus and the Netherlands, thus, becomes crucial. We believe Belarus Connection is unique opportunity for such constructive dialogue. Besides that, Belarus deserves more attention and that is why we are organising this event."

Program

18:30 Doors open. Media gallery: Belarus Pre-event documentaries screening, mMusic and drinks

19.30 Welcome and Introduction

20.00 Panel Discussion and Q&A Dutch Foreign Policy and Development Cooperation

20.45 Drinks

21.00 Panel Discussion and Q&A Belarus Elections: What is the Next Step in Belarus-Netherlands Relations?

21.40 Closing remarks, networking

For more information please refer to: http://www.worldconnectors.nl/belarusconnection