Belarusian People’s Congress

“The Belarusian People’s Congress is our tradition, a tradition of the post-Soviet Belarus. We have been holding such meetings since 1996 as there is no other form of consulting directly with the people,” said Lidia Yermoshina.

In her words, it is also possible to learn the opinion of the Belarusian citizens through a referendum. This procedure, however, have its specific features. “We all know that a referendum is, first of all, a costly event. Secondly, it lacks a live voice of a particular person who can speak up at the Belarusian People’s Congress,” Lidia Yermoshina added.

The 5th Belarusian People's Congress will open in the Palace of Republic in Minsk on 22 June. Delegates to the national forum will review the social and economic development of Belarus in 2011-2015 and the main points of the draft social and economic development program for 2016-2020. The main objective of the current five-year plan is to improve the quality of life of people through increased economic competitiveness, investments and innovations. In order to achieve the goals the country's development will be based on such priorities as investment, employment, exports, information technology, and youth. Some 2,500 delegates will attend the event. The forum will bring together representatives of all sectors of the society: blue-collar and rural workers, representatives of the social and cultural sector and mass media, military, entrepreneurs, students, pensioners. Among the delegates to the forum will also be heads of government bodies, companies and organizations, MPs and deputies of local councils, representatives of political parties and public associations. The Belarusian People's Congress will be attended by about 150 guests, including 100 from abroad.