What are the main results of the EaP CSF National Platform’s Conference? What is it noticed for?

Their opinion to the EuroBelarus Information Service expressed the new members of the Coordination Committee elected during the Conference of the National Platform.

Yaroslav Bekish, Ecological Association “Green Alliance”:

"It was a meeting designed to hear reports and elect new members; however, lots of critical reflections were said regarding the direction of the EaP Civil Society Forum, the National Platform and the work that ought to be done still. What we lack is the public strategic reflection, which became obvious after the last conference where the draft strategy that wasn’t shared by all the participants of the Conference was introduced.  

I believe that the criticism expressed at the conference was constructive, as the participants had one more chance to access the importance of the consolidated planning and consolidated actions.

The situation that exists in the National Platform now will last for some time and its potential will grow to result in further Platform’s work in the autumn."

Piotr Kuzniatsou, Civil Initiative “Homel Democratic Forum”:

"I can say that from my point of view, the conference was productive, though not that successful. The first and foremost outcome is the smooth election of the new governing body, as any rotation is a positive event. However, the most positive feature I want to highlight is the open and clear discussion of the main problems that the National Platform is experiencing now, and what are its results.

It was stated that no discussion of the strategic development problems had its negative impact, too. But I think that the fact that the main challenges and problems were voiced is a good start. And if new governing bodies are working well there is a chance that these challenges will be accepted."

Andrei Yahorau, Centre for European Transformation:

"I can’t say that some innovative decisions were made; the meeting was of a working character aimed at solution of the organization questions. One of the most urgent and broadly discussed problems was evaluation of the actual state the National Platform is in. As a result of the prestige’s loss, the dynamics of National Platform’s development also slowed down and, accordingly, its influence on the important processes going on in the Eastern Partnership and Europe-Belarus cooperation lessened, too.

During the conference it was stated that only concrete actions of the National Platform can return its prestige and resolve inner contradictions. As Ulad Vialichka noted, we won’t resolve inner conflicts if we keep talking about them. To resolve the problems we should take action; and this is exactly what the new Coordination Committee will be employed with."