To: The World Bank Country Manager for Belarus
Alex Kramer

СС: World Bank Civil Society Team

From: Presidium of the Coordination Council
Education Working Group of the Coordination Council
Economic Working Group of the Coordination Council

Belarusian National Platform of the EaP CCF

 

Appeal

Dear Sir Alex Kremer,

On June 23, 2020, the Republic of Belarus and the World Bank signed the agreement on the implementation of the project on modernization of higher education of the Republic of Belarus (project “Modernization of Higher Education of the Republic of Belarus – P167992”), with total funding of $ 109.01 million. On October 20, Alexander Lukashenko signed the Decree 367 “On Approval of the International Agreement and its Implementation”, which implies the implementation of the loan agreement for the implementation of this project.

The Coordinating Council and the Belarusian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum express their concern on the possibility of this project in the face of unprecedented repression against students and teachers at Belarusian universities by the authorities. Over the past two months, hundreds of university students and teachers have been subjected to violence, arrests, fines and various forms of intimidation for
participating in peaceful protests. At least 126 students were expelled by university administrations for expressing their civil position.

Knowing the fundamental openness of the World Bank to dialogue and interaction with civil society, we propose in the coming days to enter into a dialogue with the Coordinating Council and the Belarusian National Platform of the EaP on the procedure and mechanisms for implementing the project on the modernization of higher education.

Sincerely,
Pavel Latushka
on behalf of the Presidium of the Coordination Council

Volha Kavalkova
on behalf of the Presidium of the Coordination Council

Andrey Egorov,
on behalf of the Education Working Group of the Coordination Council and the Belarusian National Platform

Ales Alekhnovich,
on behalf of the Economic Working Group of the Coordination Council

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