Pro-dem NGOs Assembly to be held in Minsk

The assembly is due to be held on the premises of the Minsk-based International Education Centre (IBB) on 6-7 March 2009. On the same day the members of the organizing committee (Siarhei Matskevich, Barys Zvozskau and Alena Valynets) also had a meeting with the first secretary of the German embassy to Belarus Dr. MatthiasBiermann. The secretary was asked to assist in holding the assembly on the IBB’s premises, since the German embassy to Minsk is one of the co-founders of the center. Mr.Biermann welcomed the idea to hold the assembly and expressed his deep interest in the development of the civil society in Belarus.

Minsk city authorities are the other co-founder of the center and, therefore can directly influence IBB’s renting policy. Permission to hold the assembly during the test period for Belarusian government may become an evidence of certain changes in the relationship between the Belarusian authorities and the local civil society.

The assembly will be attended by over 200 representatives of numerous Belarusian NGOs working for democratic changes in Belarus. The event will also include a number of themed round table discussions, so that various NGOs can work out recommendations and draft decisions for the Assembly.