EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
It is important to harmonize the vertical of power with the horizontal structures of society, so that strategic decisions may rest on the energy and engagement of society at large, Viktor Vatyl, head of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and chairman of the Belarusian Society of Political Scientists told BelTA’s The Nation Speaks project.
Responding to a question about how the decisions adopted at the Belarusian People’s Congress are being put into practice domestically and in the country’s foreign policy, Viktor Vatyl noted that this is done through strategic and program documents. At the last session of the seventh convocation of the Belarusian People’s Congress, a five-year socio-economic development program was approved, along with the National Security Concept and the Military Doctrine. “I believe the codification of the strategy will continue at the December meeting. It is important that the guiding will of the country’s leader and the Belarusian People’s Congress help unite not only the efforts of all levels of government, but also the civic energy of the people. The Belarusian People’s Congress must now more actively involve into common affairs those who so far take part in them insufficiently. This spans every level, from the family and the courtyard to universities, institutions and production facilities. Uniting the vertical of power with society’s horizontal ties is one of the most important tasks for the near term and beyond,” he stated.
The role of the media is also important in all of this. “The general rule today is this: if you are not present in the media, few people know about you and your work. Practitioners and analysts, as well as the scientific and expert community, have their place here. For example, in late May we held another international conference in Grodno on the role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in ensuring the information and political security of the state. It was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Congress, and high-ranking guests were present: the head of the Belarusian People’s Congress Secretariat, the chairman of the Central Election Commission, and the education minister. The role of the Belarusian People’s Congress in ensuring information and political security was discussed in detail. I want to emphasize that the Belarusian People’s Congress very clearly understands the role of the digital realm today. The key question is who will set the agenda today and win over people’s minds and hearts. The discussion turned out to be thorough, but I believe it is far from over,” Viktor Vatyl emphasized.