This two-day event is intended to shed light on the situation surrounding higher education in Belarus and its broader implications for the normalization of civil society in that country.  Leading specialists from both Belarus itself and North America in the fields of higher education and government will share views among themselves and with invited guests and the general public.  The Center will oversee preparation of a final policy document reflecting the formal papers and informal discussions shared at the symposium.

The Center for Belarusian Studies welcomes interested persons to share in this unique event, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2009. All sessions will be held in Southwestern Library, Reference Room, on the campus of Southwestern College, 100 College Street, Winfield, Kansas 67156.

List of presenters:

Dr. Ales Antsipenka, Head, Belarus Collegium;

Dr. Zinaida Gimpelevich, Professor of Slavic Literature, Waterloo University;

Dr. Alyaksandr Kazulin, former Rector, Belarusian State University;

Dr. Aliaksandr Kalbaska, Vice-rector, European Humanities University;

Dr. J. Andrew Sheppard, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Southwestern College and
Associate Executive Director, Center for Belarusian Studies;

Dr. Stanislau Shushkevich, former Head of State, Republic of Belarus;

Dr. M. Paula Survilla, Professor of Musicology and Ethnomusicology, Wartburg College
and Executive Director, Center for Belarusian Studies;

Amb. David H. Swartz, Associate Executive Director, Center for Belarusian Studies and
former U. S. ambassador to the Republic of Belarus;

Amb. Kenneth S. Yalowitz, Adjunct Professor and Director, Dickey Center for
International Understanding, Dartmouth College and former U.S. ambassador to
the Republic of Belarus;

Three of the first graduates with B.A. degrees in Belarusian Studies of the European
Humanities University

download CBS Symposium Poster