The recognition of the European Humanities University as extremist forces a reconsideration of its concept, writes Mikalai Buhaj.
I have no doubt that the European Humanities University will stand. It will continue to teach, it will continue to enroll students. Yes, enrollment numbers will decrease. Well, if less, then less.
But at the same time, it will become easier for EHU to fulfill its other natural mission. Previously, to avoid inviting additional repression, the university was forced to keep its distance from civil society. Now, the situation itself gives EHU a chance to become a research center and a platform for civic initiatives.
For example, Belarusians should have an independent Center for Historical Research as an alternative to the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences. Why shouldn't it emerge on the basis of EHU's historical department?
Belarusians need a journalism faculty in exile to train personnel for independent media — why not create it on the basis of EHU?
Belarusians need analytical centers. Why shouldn't they exist under the wing of EHU?
Belarusians have the Ivan Lutskievich Museum, cultural spaces. Why shouldn't EHU be a base for them too?
A Belarusian humanitarian hub, a Scientific and Practical Center — specialists will formulate the names for these new functions more accurately. Because now EHU is in the same league of extremists as civil society.
And continue enrolling students. However many enroll — that many will enroll. This is how the Ukrainian Free University operated in exile in its time.
This strategy seems to me to be the strongest asymmetric response to the Lukashenka regime's move. Because the logic of the Minsk administration is to cut off all European influences and ties, to leave Belarusians no alternative — only Lukashenkaism and Russia.
Students will not be able to return to Belarus now, but there are no borders for ideas and knowledge.
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Таму, што на гэта прынцыпова не дазволяць Наўседы з усякімі там сьвітанкамі-над-нёманамі, ну і грамадзкае меркаваньне падключыцца ў выглядзе ўсякіх сьвітоюсаў. Проста нагадаю, якую рэакцыю выклікала нават бяскрыўдная кнайпа з сымболікай паўстаньня 1863 году. Кнайпа. А вы пра аналітычныя цэнтры...
Што да экстрэмісцкага статусу, нічога ён не развязвае - ні рукі, ні ногі. Гэта вельмі кепска, у першую чаргу для студэнтаў.