Call for study programme for Belarusian students

The Presidium of the Nordic Council has just held an online meeting. It recommended that the Nordic governments develop a study programme for Belarusian students to run from 2023 until 2026 and that it be coordinated by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The International Strategy of the Nordic Council 2018–2022 recognises the deep respect for democracy, the rule of law, gender equality and human rights throughout the Nordic Region and across political dividing lines. It also calls on the Nordic Region to make a difference in the world by always having a clear voice that articulates and stands up for these values.

“Offering young Belarusians the chance to study in the Nordic Region will allow them to take part in teaching based on democratic values and will show the rest of the population that we have not forgotten them,” says Bertel Haarder, President of the Nordic Council.    

The Nordic Council has repeatedly expressed concern about events and violations of human rights and democratic rules in Belarus. For example, the Presidium raised these issues at its meeting with the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya last year. 

The original proposal by the Finnish delegation was discussed and adopted by the Committee for Knowledge and Culture in the Nordic Region in September. The party political groups on the Nordic Council also support the core of the proposal.