The program for the fifth Conference of Belarusians Around the World, which will take place on May 1–2, 2026, in Warsaw, has been announced. Participants from different countries will meet both offline and online to discuss current issues facing the diaspora, share experiences, and strengthen cooperation among Belarusian communities worldwide.
The conference will be opened by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The first day’s program includes a roundtable on the self-identification of Belarusians abroad, a presentation of research on the number of Belarusians worldwide, a pitch market of successful diaspora projects, a discussion on cooperation between diasporas and donors, as well as a debate among representatives of the Coordination Council on its role for Belarusians abroad.
The second day will focus on practical work: a discussion panel on political advocacy, a presentation of a project mapping the problems faced by Belarusians abroad, group work on developing joint solutions, presentation of results, and an awards ceremony. The conference will conclude with closing remarks by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
The event is public and will be photographed and filmed, the Office of Tsikhanouskaya noted. Registration is required to participate.
May 1
- 09:15 — Registration, welcome coffee, review of electoral lists for the Coordination Council
- 10:00 — Opening remarks by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, conference opening
- 10:05 — Welcome remarks from the diaspora community
- 10:15 — Introductory remarks by the moderators, introductions
- 10:30 — Roundtable: “Who Are We: Belarusians Abroad, Belarusians of the World, Diaspora, National Minority?”
- 11:30 — Presentation of the study “Counting Belarusians Around the World”
- 12:00 — Coffee break
- 12:30 — Pitch market — presentations of successful diaspora cases (Part 1)
- 13:30 — Lunch
- 14:30 — Pitch market — presentations of successful diaspora cases (Part 2)
- 15:30 — “What Does and Does Not Work: How Can Diasporas Cooperate With Donors?”
- 16:30 — Coffee break
- 17:00 — Debate among Coordination Council representatives: “Why Do Belarusians Abroad Need the Coordination Council?”
- 18:30 — Summary of the first day.
May 2
- 09:15 — Registration, welcome coffee
- 10:00 — Introductory remarks by the moderators
- 10:10 — Discussion panel: “Political Advocacy: Challenges and Opportunities”
- 11:00 — Presentation of the project “Mapping the Problems of Belarusians Abroad”
- 11:30 — Division into groups for further work
- 11:40 — Coffee break
- 12:10 — Group work: “Joint Solutions to Support Belarusians Abroad”
- 14:00 — Coffee break
- 15:00 — Presentation of group work results
- 16:00 — Awards ceremony
- 16:20 — Conference summary
- 16:40 — Closing remarks by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
