To mark its 75th anniversary, the United Nations is launching a global conversation on the role of international cooperation in building the future we want. The survey at un75.online is open to everyone. It consists of five questions about global trends in human development: which of them will have the greatest impact on human life and how important it is for countries to work together on them.
The reason for the discussion are the global changes in the world: the planet’s climate and population are changing, technologies are developing. Increasing inequalities, protracted conflicts and new forms of violence are at the heart of the risks that humanity is facing. Overcoming these risks will require cooperation that transcends borders of countries, sectors and generations. It will also be necessary to achieve our common goal of a safer, just and sustainable world.
Participation in the survey will help to improve the international management of these trends and bring the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals closer.
On March 18, 2020 the kickoff meeting of the participants and organizers of the Youth campaign “Towards the future we want” will take place at Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University.
During the kickoff meeting a Plan of joint activities of the Youth Campaign between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus and the UN Office in Belarus will be signed. An open lecture on the global campaign “UN 75” will be given by the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki. The online broadcast of the kickoff meeting will be available on 18 March at 10.00 a.m.
The youth campaign “Towards the Future We Want” in Belarus was initiated by the UN in honor of its 75th anniversary and the launch of the Decade of UN Action for Sustainable Development. As part of the campaign, open discussions “The future we want: our ideas and actions” will be held in all regions, organized by regional universities – members of the Continuing Education for Teachers Cluster, resource centres of the Association “Education for Sustainable Development” and Youth Ambassadors of the Sustainable Development Goals. In September 2020, the results of youth initiatives aimed at achieving and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals will be presented at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.
The kickoff meeting will be attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Belarusian State Pedagogical University, the Council of the Association “Education for Sustainable Development”, UN organizations in the Republic of Belarus, representatives of press services, as online participants – representatives of universities participating in regional events, resource centers of AESD (members of the Council of the Association from the regions), institutions of general education with specialized pedagogical orientation classes, Youth Ambassadors of the SDGs.
On March 11, 2020 an extended session of the Standing Commission on Labour and Social Issues of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus was held. The meeting discussed proposals for the draft Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Their Social Integration,” which is preparing for consideration in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus in the first reading. The draft is being developed together with social partners and public organizations. In addition to representatives of interested national government bodies, the extended meeting of the commission was attended by representatives of public organizations (Society of the disabled, Associations of visually impaired, Society of the deaf, Association of helping children and young people with disabilities, Association of wheelchair users, Office for the rights of people with disabilities).
Importantly, the focus of legislation is shifting from a medical to a social factor: additional mechanisms for ensuring the right to work (SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth), measures to protect people with disabilities from discrimination (SDG 10 – Reducing inequalities), issues related to accessibility of parking, housing and the urban environment for people with disabilities (SDG 9 – Industrialization, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements) and other issues.
The adoption of the law will contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and aims to include people with disabilities in the active life of society. At the session of the commission Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Rumak noted that it will bring the national legislation closer to the standards of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the country acceded in 2016.
Nowadays 60% of people with disabilities have jobs in Belarus. Organizations established by public associations of people with disabilities, as well as other enterprises with 30% or more people with disabilities employed, have a number of benefits and advantages in the economic sphere. There are 572,000 persons with disabilities in Belarus.
The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus holds public discussions on the draft National Sustainable Development Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for the period until 2035 (NSSD-2035). The project is available on the website of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus. Proposals for inclusion in the draft NSSD-2035 can be sent by March 24, 2020 via electronic form.
NSSD-2035 will be a system-forming document, with the help of which projections and programs for socio-economic development of the country in the medium and short term will be developed in the Republic of Belarus. The strategy is based on a systematic approach that reveals the development of three interrelated areas: environmental, social, economic and is oriented towards Sustainable Development Goals.
The draft NSSD-2035 notes global development trends, external challenges and risks in the long term, and describes the Belarusian model of sustainable development. Separate chapters are devoted to the development of human potential, efficient employment, digital transformation of economy, sustainable infrastructure, development of business environment and ensuring environmental safety through the development of green economy. The draft NSSD-2035 defines goals, objectives, tools and mechanisms for the implementation of key strategic directions to ensure sustainable development of the Republic of Belarus, taking into account the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Among the key challenges for sustainable development are demographic problems, low labour productivity and ensuring environmentally friendly conditions for the population.
Sustainable floodplain meadows management through the renewal of traditional grazing in areas important for the conservation of globally endangered species is being tested in the Republic of Belarus.
15 individuals of the auroch-like Heck cattle were brought from the Latvian national park “Kemeri” floodplain meadows of the Pogost tract of the national landscape reserve “Srednaya Pripyat” and were released for free pasture. Earlier auroch lived on this territory (reserve “Srednaya Pripyat”), a species that disappeared from Europe in 1627. In the 30s in Germany attempts were made to revive the ancient species by breeding Heck cattle.
Sustainable traditional use of meadows and keeping them open will allow to restore and preserve the key nesting sites of rare bird species (Greater Spotted Plover, Greater Spotted Woodpecker) and the sites of the largest concentration of migratory bird species in Europe on the Turow Meadow (Pintail, Wigeontail, Greater Spotted Plover, Ruff).
Restoration of traditional grazing aims at sustainable management of ecological systems and contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 13 (combating climate change) and 15 (preserving terrestrial ecosystems).
The release of Heck cattle on floodplain meadows of the Pogost tract was carried out under the Wetlands project funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus.
Photo by UNDP
March 3-5, 2020, “Smart Sustainable Cities: from concept to implementation” forum was held in Minsk. Practical experience and ways of building a smart city were presented at the forum by speakers from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as experts from Green Cities Project, UNDP (Belarus).
The participants discussed the prospects and trends in the development of smart sustainable cities, approaches to the development of concepts and road maps of smart sustainable cities, smart urban technologies and innovations in urban management, approaches to the smart sustainable cities indicators development. Presentations of the forum can be found here.
Ensuring openness, safety, resilience and environmental sustainability of cities and human settlements is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Today, half of humanity – 3.5 billion people – lives in cities. Cities account for 70% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon dioxide emissions. Sustainable cities mean cities with opportunities for all, access to basic services, adequate and environmentally friendly energy supply, housing and transport. Smart urban solutions can meet these challenges.
The Forum was organized by the International Telecommunication Union jointly with “Giprosvyaz” and with the support of the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus.
In circular economy once created value is retained for the longest time possible. It is a major component of sustainable development and green economy. It is, however, a relatively new economic concept in Belarus. The introduction of a circular economy brings the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industrialization, innovation and infrastructure) and 12 (responsible consumption and production). At the same time, in order to make evidence-based policy decisions, it is necessary to first analyze the conditions for implementing circular economy approaches in Belarus. For this purpose, a strategic SWOT analysis of the current situation in Belarus has been carried out. The purpose of the analysis was to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current economic situation in the aspect of transition to circular economy, as well as the chances and risks of circular economy. This information enables strategic planning and implementation of circular economy in Belarus in accordance with the country’s objectives.
The research tool was SWOT-analysis. First, the available information was assessed, then interviews with experts were conducted in July-August 2019, and the workshop finalized the database and identified specific entry points for the tool dossier. The results were then discussed with stakeholders at a round table.
The study analysed waste management in Belarus, in particular, waste management practices in residential and industrial sectors. The generation and use of key industrial waste by sector was described. Strengths and weaknesses of the current situation in the economy, legal framework, administrative situation, infrastructure equipment, economic situation and cultural realities were also discussed. The largest enterprises on processing of secondary material resources were studied. Possibilities of circular economy are given: it decreases expenses for raw materials and environmental expenses, creates quality potential of workplaces. Product requirements and investments into circular business models are mentioned as risks. The full text of the study can be found here.
The concept of circular economy is enshrined in a number of national legal documents: National Strategy for the handling of secondary raw materials until 2035, NSSD-2035, NSSD-2030, Presidential Decree No. 313, (Directive No. 7). The key elements are the five-step hierarchy of priorities in waste management and the principle of extended producer responsibility.
SWOT analysis was carried out within the framework of the project “Capacity Building for Strategic Planning and Management of Regional Structural Transformations in Belarus in the Context of Circular Economy”, which was financed by the Regional Fund “Administrative Reforms in the Eastern Partnership Countries” of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
On 2 March 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a round table, where the issues of work in the Republic of Belarus in the field of achieving Sustainable Development Goals were considered.
The round table was opened by Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei. He stressed the importance of maintaining continuity in the work to achieve Sustainable Development Goals at the national level and noted that experience in this area had confirmed the correct decision to entrust the functions of the National Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals to a high-level parliamentarian. It had made it possible to broaden the range of participants in sustainable development interactions.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei congratulated Anatoli Isachanka, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, on his appointment as the National Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals and assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as the Secretariat of the National Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals) is ready to provide the necessary assistance.
Vladimir Makei presented Marianna Shchetkina with the “Partnership” distinction badge of the diplomatic service bodies for her systematic work in the field of sustainable development, contribution to international cooperation and strengthening the positive image of Belarus in the international arena. Marianna Shchetkina served as the National Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals from 25 May 2017 till 13 February 2020.
The roundtable participants discussed the prospects of joint activities of national and foreign partners in the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda until 2030, coordination of national efforts, international cooperation, development of joint policy documents with the UN on sustainable development. The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus, Ioana Kazana-Wisniowiecki, as well as the leadership of the UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA) confirmed their readiness to continue close cooperation and support the efforts of the Republic of Belarus to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From February, 14 till April, 1, 2020 The Ministry of Education holds public discussions on the Strategy for the Development of State Youth Policy in the Republic of Belarus until 2030.
Focusing on future generations is one of the accelerators of Sustainable Development Goals achievement in the Republic of Belarus. Therefore, the adoption of the Strategy for Development of the State Youth Policy in the Republic of Belarus until 2030 is an important stage in the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030.
The draft Strategy for Development of the State Youth Policy in the Republic of Belarus until 2030 considers the state youth policy in the Republic of Belarus as a strategic direction of social and economic development of society, and young people as the most active part of society.
The aim of the Strategy is to improve the quality of life of young people and strengthen its role in the socio-economic development of the Republic of Belarus.
As the main priorities in the draft Strategy of state youth policy development in the Republic of Belarus till 2030 are proposed: education, youth employment, youth health, young family, public participation, leisure and creativity, security.
You can find the draft strategy on the website of the Ministry of Education. Comments and proposals can be sent to the e-mail address client@minedu.unibel.by until April 1, 2020.
Photo: sb.by
Since August 2018, an inclusive initiative “From a Healthy Person to Healthy Society” has been implemented in Belarus by the NGO “Spinal Disabled”.
The main idea of the initiative is to promote a healthy lifestyle and increase motor activity of people with disabilities. This is an important contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Goal 9 – Industrialization, innovation and infrastructure Goal 10 – Reduce inequality Goal 11 – Sustainable cities and communities Goal 17 – Partnership for sustainable development.
The outcome of the initiative was summarized at a round table at the Centre for Inclusive Culture, held in Gomel on 28 February 2020.
More than 500 people benefited from the initiative’s activities.
As part of the implementation of the inclusive initiative, a regional interdepartmental working group was formed, which included representatives of the Committee on Labour, Employment and Social Protection, the Department of Sport and Tourism, the Main Department of Education of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee and public associations of people with disabilities. The working group held meetings in the districts of the Gomel region and developed an interaction scheme to address issues related to the promotion of the rights and interests of people with disabilities. It also monitored 15 sports facilities in Gomel for a barrier-free environment, and a barrier-free environment was created in the Sovetsky district of Gomel (replacement of three entrance doors, repair of stairs, installation of handrails, and a ramp at the entrance).
Since August 2018, as part of the initiative, NGO “Spinal Disabled” has provided the organization and conduct of two inclusive runs “Together we can de everything”, a two-day regional sports competition in Paralympic sports among people with disabilities, the organization of the work of sections in athletics, swimming, boccia, powerlifting and table tennis in the Paralympic and Deflympic SOCOR and in the Sovetsky district sports center, purchase of sports equipment for training process in the Paralympic and Deflympic SOCOR. In addition, five people with motor disabilities jumped with parachutes, five specialists were trained to conduct training process in five types of invasport. An information campaign was conducted at the local level.
Gennady Zolotarev, Chairman of the NGO “Spinal Disabled”, notes that the initiative has a future: “The sustainability of its development lies in the fact that trained coaches in five sports will continue to work with people with disabilities. Purchased equipment will improve the quality of the training process. Creating a barrier-free environment with the support of the Gomel Oblast and Gomel City Executive Committees will help people with disabilities to visit the centres and sports facilities on a permanent basis. Joint work with public associations of people with disabilities and interested government agencies under the initiative has led us to create a coalition “Accessible Environment – Inclusive Belarus” to more quickly address issues of people with disabilities. The Inclusive Run, the Inclusive City exhibition and the regional Spartakiada will become annual. During the implementation of the initiative 14 sportsmen with disabilities became winners and prize-winners of the championships of the Republic of Belarus in sports, 3 persons fulfilled the qualification category of Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus, 7 persons — Candidate Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus.
The initiative was supported under the international technical assistance project “Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle and Support to Modernization of the Healthcare System in the Republic of Belarus” (BELMED), financed by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP, WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus.
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