Author: Irina Roman

We invite you to read the special address made by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, at the opening of the 2026 Eastern Partnership Youth Conference. More about the Conference can be found here.

God morgon, kära vänner. 

Dear friends, дарагія беларускія сябры і сяброўкі, 

First of all, I want to congratulate the organizers. Scheduling a youth forum at 8 a.m. requires true bravery and great confidence in young people! 

And congratulations to all the participants who managed to make it here on time — and didn’t get lost in the narrow but beautiful streets of Stockholm. 

And yes, I heard a lot about last night’s amazing boat trip… and the even longer networking night afterward. 

This conference may be remembered for very little sleep — but hopefully for many exciting memories. 

And honestly, that is one of the best things about being young. 

The emotions you experience today, and the conversations you have at midnight over coffee or something stronger — all of this will shape your future. 

The very friendships you create one day will become your greatest professional asset. Because time flies quickly. Many of you will become ministers, ambassadors, presidents, leaders of organizations. And your WhatsApp contact list may become more valuable than your diploma. 

Of course, in politics, talent matters. Charisma matters. Ambition matters. But relationships matter even more. First you work for your reputation, and then your reputation works for you. 

Honestly, I may not be the best person to give career advice. Just six years ago, I was a housewife and a complete political beginner. Like a small kitten thrown into the waters of big politics and told: “Swim!” 

Somehow, I managed not to drown. And the only reason was because good team stood beside me. And because Belarusians supported me. 

On this political journey, I experienced many of the same things that young people entering politics experience today. 

At first, nobody takes you seriously. You patiently knock on closed doors. They seat you in the back row. You constantly have to prove your worth. You must overcome your own fear and insecurity, and push through artificial barriers. 

And I am not even talking yet about mental health. 

And it becomes even harder when you are a woman in a post-Soviet society. You need twice as much effort just to earn a place at the table — instead of being placed there “for decoration.” Usually together with youth representatives. 

But I went through it. And many of you are going through it too. 

It takes patience. Hard work. Sleepless nights. But eventually, something changes. One day you realize: people are listening to you. 

And this is why I admire Sweden so much. 

Sweden has built an open and fair society where support for young people is not charity — it is state policy. 

Meet almost any Swede under thirty in a café or a bar, and there is a good chance they belong to a student organization, youth movement, union, volunteer initiative, or political party. 

And I think many of you here will agree with me: for Belarusians, Ukrainians, Moldovans, Georgians, Armenians, Azerbaijanis — Sweden represents a model we look up to. 

Not only because of economic success. But because of strong institutions. Democratic culture. Equality. Trust. Opportunities. Respect for human dignity. 

This is also what attracts our nations toward the European Union. 

Not only prosperity — but freedom. The feeling that your voice matters. That you are respected as a citizen, not treated as a subject, or “extremist”, as we are often labeled by Lukashenka’s regime. 

In post-Soviet countries, we are still fighting the legacy of authoritarianism. We call it – “Выученная беспомощность” – learned helplessness. The belief that ordinary people cannot influence anything.  

Those of us who have studied, traveled, or lived in Europe feel this difference especially strongly. They see with their own eyes that another kind of life is possible. 

That is why mobility matters so much. Visas matter. Scholarships, exchanges matter. Open borders matter. They give young people the opportunity to bring new ideas, values, and experiences back home. 

When I was young — and definitely not yet any activist — I had such an opportunity myself when I visited Ireland through a Chernobyl exchange program. 

And honestly, I was shocked. People discussed politics. Openly criticized politicians! Very openly. And nobody disappeared afterward. 

In our post-Soviet societies, we were always taught something very different: “Don’t stand out.” That was the mantra. We heard it at home. Teachers repeated it at school, at university, we heard it even at work. 

Be like everyone else. Don’t attract attention. Keep your head down. Because if you stand out — there will be trouble. 

Today, I understand that this is exactly how dictatorship grows. 

Every regime needs obedient people. Loyal executors. Citizens who are afraid to speak. 

And this fear — the fear of being different — still lives inside many people. 

Many talented, bright, creative people never realize their potential because they stay silent, or because they simply don’t believe in themselves. 

And honestly — I was exactly the same. If not for the events of six years ago, when my husband was arrested and I entered the presidential campaign with zero political experience, you would never have seen Sviatlana Tsikhanouskayaas political leader. 

So this is my advice to you today: Stand out. Be different. Be brave. And don’t become conformists. 

Don’t accept being placed in the back row. Do not agree to become “youth representatives” only for beautiful photos and diversity reports. 

Fight for your place at the table — even when it feels uncomfortable. Even when it feels impossible. 

Ask difficult questions. Challenge old systems. Push institutions to change. 

Yesterday, during the Stockholm Conference on Belarusian Youth, organized by Swedish MFA, young Belarusians gave us, politicians, a real hard time. 

And honestly — I loved it. I heard tough criticism. And much of it was fair. 

Young people said, even in democratic forces, they are still excluded from decision-making. That there are not enough new faces. That our youth policy is weak. 

For a moment, I felt like a European bureaucrat — even though we are still only a democratic movement in exile fighting for the chance to govern our country one day. 

But the very fact that young people ask these questions makes me optimistic. 

Because it means they no longer accept symbolic participation. They demand ownership and responsibility. And this is exactly how democracy grows. 

Here, I want to acknowledge all young Belarusians in the room. Despite repression, prison, exile, and fear — you don’t give up and continue fighting.  

And I truly believe that young people will become one of the main driving forces of democratic change in Belarus. 

I admire you, just as I admire young Ukrainians who continue volunteering, creating initiatives, and defending their country despite this horrific war. 

Just as I admire young people in Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia, where youth became the driving force behind the European path. 

And just as I admire young people in Azerbaijan who, despite authoritarian pressure, continue expanding the space for freedom. 

Dear friends, 

I couldn’t agree more that we need more young people in politics. And we need a stronger youth policy across the Eastern Partnership countries. 

But we don’t need policies that only talk about young people. 

We need policies that empower them, protect them, invest in them, and include them in decision-making. 

Here, I want to thank our Swedish and EU friends in this room, who are taking a leading role in this direction. This conference is the perfect place to rethink the role of youth. 

Let’s make sure that young people are no longer sitting in the back row, but at the table — where they truly belong. 

Thank you!  

Slava Ukraini! Жыве Беларусь!