- ECS
Kościuszko Forum
/ Culture as a Driving Force of Democracy
We support the democratic aspirations of Belarusians, while at the same time strengthening integration processes in our region. This is the second edition of the Kościuszko Forum, under the patronage of a common hero of Poles, Belarusians, Lithuanians, and Ukrainians. The slogan of this year’s event is: “Culture as a driving force of democracy.”
Today, when the joy at the release of political prisoners in Belarus goes hand in hand with the conscious and instrumental treatment of human rights, we meet in Gdańsk – a city of freedom and solidarity. We shall employ a cultural lens to look at the world, which is moving away more and more from the values which constitute the foundation of our civilisation.
We organise the Kościuszko Forum with a strong conviction that culture is a platform upon which the Solidarity of nations is built and a voice is granted to those who demand human rights. What is more, culture is a practical tool to boost trust and long-term relations between Belarusian political and social actors, and their partners in Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania and other European countries.
It is through cultural dialogue that democratic Belarus is a subject within a Trans-European collaboration space – not merely a blank spot or an object of current politics. This makes Europe more resilient against authoritarianism, improves European security and is an investment into a shared future based on mutual trust and responsibility. To understand is a prerequisite to solidarity, an invitation into a community. And it is culture that opens the door to understanding.
Program
02/06/2026 Tuesday
9:30
Conference opening ceremony
welcome | the city of Gdańsk and the European Solidarity Centre
opening | the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
/ ECS, function room (ground floor)
/ online broadcast
10:10
Presentation of an award to Lech Wałęsa
The Good Neighbour Cross – an award of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus for outstanding contribution to promoting the relations between Belarus and other countries as well as efforts towards democratic transformation in Belarus.
/ ECS, function room (ground floor)
/ online broadcast
10:20
Presentation of the ECS Solidarity and Human Rights Award
The award shall be given to Ales Bialiatski – a Belarusian human rights defender, a founder of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”, a political prisoner and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Rather than historical achievements, the Solidarity and Human Rights Award is bestowed for recreating history anew – outstanding involvement in defending human rights, not only in the civic dimension, but also within culture, science, and education.
/ ECS, function room (ground floor)
/ online broadcast