Every year International Migrants Day is observed on December, 18 according to the decision of the UN General Assembly taken in 2000. On this day in 1990, the General Assembly adopted the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. On this occasion on December, 18 and 23 the International Non-Governmental Association “Evolutio” supported by the UNHCR Representation in Belarus organized several events within the common framework of the Day of National Cultures on the Faculty of International Relations of BSU.
On December 18, 2014 the events started with screening of a documentary about Afghanistan by the journalist of ONT Channel Tengiz Dumbadze from the cycle «Dykhaniye Planety».
After that, exhibition of the hand-made souvenirs produced by refugee children opened at the Faculty’s library. Simultaneously, all the interested could watch other documentaries provided by the ONT Channel. All the guests could have watched videos about Syria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
An official opening took place at 3 p.m. Aliaksandr Velikarodnau, Programme Associate of the UNHCR Representation in the Republic of Belarus, and Andrey Selivanov, INA “Evolutio” Executive Director, delivered their opening remarks. They noted the importance of good and kind international relations.
Then a concert took place, which was opened by children art groups represented by Afghanistan and Georgian natives of the Center of Supplementary Instruction for Children and Youth “Evrika”. Girls from Afghanistan presented a perky song in their native language. The female Georgian duo, on the contrast, touched the guests’ hearts with lyrical and a little bit sad melody. Vigorous and hilarious dance of the representative of Azerbaijan became one of the brightest parts of the event. The concert ended up with singing performances by the representative of Turkmenistan who presented songs both in Turkmen and Russian languages accompanied with guitar.
The Day of National Cultures continued with country presentations of foreign students. Representatives of Azerbaijan, China and Armenia told the guests about their countries in all the grace.
The most pleasant part of this day was the presentation of the national cuisine. Turkmen students proposed for degustation such dishes of the national cuisine as pilaf and manty. Georgian cuisine represented by khachapuri and khinkali also wasn’t left without notice. The repast finished with a sweet pie baked by Armenian students.
It is worth noticing that the majority of dishes was prepared by the participants of the event themselves, and we are grateful for that! They grained a part of their soul and kindness, that’s why the atmosphere of tolerance and diversity at the same time was preserved during the whole day.
The official awarding ceremony of the winners and participants of the Сontest for journalists on the best coverage in mass media in 2014 of the topic «Refugees in Belarus: a New Homeland» and the Contest of the works of students, candidates for a master’s degree, post-graduate students «Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Contemporary World» became the final event within the Day of National Cultures. Delayed in time, this event was no less important than the previous one. It took place on December 23, 2014. Jean Yves Bouchardy, UNHCR Representative in Belarus, and Victor Shadurski, Chairman of the INA “Evolutio” Observation Board, delivered their speeches at the ceremony.
In his speech J. Y. Bouchardy stressed that from its side UNHCR strives to promote a tolerant attitude towards people of different nationalities and specifically towards refugees and asylum seekers. Unfortunately, the number of armed conflicts worldwide is increasing, so is the public interest towards the refugee cause. UNHCR Representative also noted that that one of the best ways to reach out to the public is to engage journalists and students.
V. Shadurski in his opening statement noted that the student contest has been conducted since 2001 and currently it has reached a high level of the works submitted. This year the INA “Evolutio” received 39 journalist and 37 student works from different parts of Belarus. V. Shadurski also noted that despite all the success there is something what to achieve and what to strive for. That’s why we cannot stop here and should look into the future and go forward.
Both of the speakers congratulated winners and participants of these contests and wished them future professional and academic success. In the end, an official awarding ceremony took place. Winners and participants of the contests received both money awards and memorable diplomas and souvenirs from the UNHCR Representation and INA “Evolutio”.