Educational Visit to Flanders
Participants of the Personnel Reserve initiative conducted an educational visit to Flanders (Belgium), where they held a series of meetings with politicians, experts, representatives of local authorities, and civil society organizations.
The aim of the visit was to deepen understanding of European approaches to public governance and local self-government, as well as to establish partnerships for future cooperation.
In Brussels, the delegation met with the Director of the Council of Europe Office in Brussels. The meeting addressed the challenges faced by Belarusians both inside the country and in exile. Representatives of the Personnel Reserve raised issues related to the legalization of Belarusians in EU countries and presented an initiative to establish an ombudsperson institution for the rights of Belarusians in Europe — a proposal that received a positive response and attracted interest.
At the Parliament of Flanders, the delegation held meetings with members of parliament, senators, and representatives of the regional government. These discussions provided a deeper understanding of how public governance is organized in the region. Possible areas of cooperation and support for Belarusian civil society were also explored.
In the city of Mechelen, participants familiarized themselves with the work of the local administration, mechanisms of competence and financial distribution between local and central authorities, as well as tools for civic participation in decision-making processes.
Special attention was given to meetings with expert and human rights organizations: the Flemish Peace Institute, the Hannah Arendt Institute, trade unions, and think tanks. Discussions focused on human rights violations in Belarus, regional security challenges, and the role of NGOs in sustaining democratic processes. Participants of the Personnel Reserve called for stronger inclusion of Belarus-related topics in research and public programs.
Such educational visits are part of the long-term strategy of the Personnel Reserve to prepare a new generation of responsible professionals and civic leaders.
Belarus needs professionals — and the Personnel Reserve is working to ensure they are ready today.
