Andrei Klikunou

Andrei Klikunou, MPA with honors, 45 y.o.

2005 – 2017

Belarusian Association of Journalists – International Relations Department Manager, Educational Program Manager, ‘For Freelance’ Campaign Manager (since 2011)

2009 – till now

Co-founded and co-managed the ‘Journalists for Tolerance’ Human Rights Initiative (aka Belarusian LGBT Journalists’ Group), Belarus (non-registered, subject to counteraction of homophobic Belarusian authorities):

• Developed an educational program series aimed at raising awareness of Belarusian journalists and editors on reporting on the issues of equality, human rights, and non-discrimination of vulnerable and marginalized populations (LGBTI, migrants and refugees etc.) in mass media in 2012.

• Established websites on journalism and LGBTI issues in Belarus and ex-Soviet states: www.gaypress.eu / www.gpress.info in 2012; www.j4t.by in 2017.

• Established the J4T Awards (aka ‘The Best Anti-Discrimination Reporter’ prize) for most inclusive reporter, media outlet and NGO of the year in 2012.

• Developed a pool of more than 140 socially responsible journalists and editors in Belarus who actively apply what they have learned from this educational series (established in 2013).

2010 – till now

Elected repeatedly to the Council of BAJ:

• Developed and implemented a large-scale, domestic and international advocacy campaign for the legalization of freelance journalist activity in Belarus (2011 – 2023),

• Facilitated the establishment and operation of the first regional hub for freelance journalists in Homiel (2018-2020) 

• Coordinated the BAJ’s applications to join the EFJ in 2013, Freelance Expert Group at EFJ in 2013, IFEX in 2017. 

2013  - till now

Delegated by the Belarusian Association of Journalists as a plenipotentiary 

representative to the Freelance Expert Group (FREG) at the EFJ.

04.2021 – till now

Elected to the Board of BAJ (closed down by authoritarian Belarusian in 08.2021 and labeled arbitrarily as an ‘extremist formation’ by the KGB of Belarus in  February 2023 that endangers its members with up to 7 years in prison)

• Facilitated establishment of a Group of Interest in support of BAJ at the Swedish Union of Journalists (2022); 

• Liaison for Belarusian Association of Journalists leadership in exile and board members with international partners, IFEX, IFJ, and EFJ.