On January 29, 2015, Minsk hosted the International Conference “Strengthening Belarus–UN Development Cooperation: Results, New Perspectives and Emerging Opportunities” organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and the United Nations in Belarus.
All stakeholders involved in the implementation of International Development Assistance (IDA) to Belarus, i.e., representatives of the Belarusian government and government agencies, non–governmental organizations, the private sector, academia and faith–based organizations as well as 24 UN agencies and 16 foreign development partners, including traditional and emerging donors, were participating in the event. UNHCR Regional Representative for Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine Mr. Oldrich Andrysek also delivered a speech at the event. Mr. Andrysek highlighted that refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR constitute an important part of the society. By bringing new cultures, knowledge and skills, they influence Belarus’ social and economic development, local ecology and infrastructure. He also provided multiple examples of UNHCR projects in the Republic of Belarus, as well as of individual cases of UNHCR assistance to refugees. Mr. Andrysek stressed that social integration constitutes the primary focus of the UNHCR efforts in Belarus.
The International Conference ended with an interactive exhibition which presented the results of the projects which are being implemented by the UN agencies and their partners in the country. The exhibition opened with the refugee children’s performance. The children sang one song in Dari and one in the Belarusian language. This was a successful example of the UNHCR Belarus’ efforts in promoting social integration as a major durable solution to the refugee issue. In addition, UNHCR and its national partners presented their joint projects to the exhibition visitors. The national partners were presented by Center for Children and Adolescents “Evrika”, «Evolutio» and NGO Belarusian Young Women Christian Association (BYWCA).