The First International Congress of Belarusian Studies: Results and Plans

On 23-25 September, the First International Congress of Belarusian Studies took place in Kaunas, Lithuania, bringing together around 200 participants from 14 countries.

The Congress became a major event in the academic life of Belarus, making it possible to gather a wide circle of historians, political scientists, sociologists and representatives of other disciplines, as well as experts from various fields. The most significant research problems were addressed in the work of the sections. A number of current social and political processes were discussed in the form of public debates.

Numerous responses and comments from participants make it possible to regard the Congress as highly successful in achieving its goals: developing communication, stimulating mutual cooperation, discussing and presenting new ideas and projects, and improving the quality of Belarusian studies.

“From the very beginning, the concept of the Congress envisaged that it would be held regularly; otherwise, it would simply lose all meaning. The result achieved this year should be only the beginning and should become the basis for developing the idea of the International Congress of Belarusian Studies in the near future,” noted the chair of the organising committee, Andrei Kazakevich.

It is planned that the Congress materials will be published as a separate volume. The next Congress is provisionally scheduled for the second half of September 2012.