We often forget that it is not only Ukrainians that live in Ukraine. We share our country with Jews, Germans, Belorussians, Russians, Roma etc, who have their own values, traditions and needs, often different from ours. Nowadays we face the problem of national minorities’ exclusion from the life of the community. Unfortunately, attempts to resolve this problem are very rare. Without a shadow of doubt, sustainable development of modern society is heavily dependent on equal opportunities for national and cultural minorities, encouragement of community’s participation in decision-making process, and search for resources to satisfy the needs of the community.
Issues of the effective use of national minorities’ potential in the development of the community were discussed at round table held at Kyiv regional state administration on February 10, 2012. The event signaled the start of the project by GURT Resource Centre entitled “Equal opportunities for national minorities and disadvantaged groups in realizing cultural rights: richness through diversity”. GURT Resource Centre plans to implement this project by 2014.
What instruments should be used to unveil the potential of national minorities in the community? What approaches should be adopted to resolve the problem at hand? These are the questions participants of the round table (local leaders of cultural and national minorities, community activists, leaders of partner organizations from Armenia, representatives of state and local authorities of the Kyiv region) sought answers to.
Answer #1: Different values are no hindrance!
According to Petro Zakharchenko, head of the department of internal policy of Kyiv regional state administration, communication with representatives of national minorities is a very delicate affair, entirely dependent on our careful consideration of their culture, needs and views.
At the same time, as Liudmyla Boiko, head of Borodianka “Doviria” centre noted, we should not be afraid to meet each other halfway. Oftentimes our fear of different values and traditions comes in the way of co-operation with national minorities. “It’s never too late to learn, though, - says Viktor Trukhan, head of the Borodianka rayon. - It is crucial to be able to view the difference in values as our strength, not our weakness, and use it effectively to pursue our goals.”
Answer#2: Learn from the experience of others
Cooperation with our Armenian colleagues is an effective way to make our project more objective and successful. As David Chytyan, head of Civic Development and Partnership Foundation (Armenia), has pointed out, it is of paramount importance to exchange relevant experience with countries that face the same problems.
David Chityan (Civic Development and Partnership Foundation, Armenia) and Margarit Piliposyan (NGO Center of Armenia)
Both Ukraine and Armenia are the successors of the USSR, and both countries have to deal with the problem of insufficient involvement of national minorities in the life of the community. Armenia is a mononational country: national minorities comprise only 3 per cent of the population of the country. At the same time, Armenian Diaspora is one of the largest in the world. “Our participation in this project will help fellow Armenians in Ukraine adjust to Ukrainian way of life more easily”, says Margarit Piliposian, President of NGO Centre of Armenia.
Answer#3: Needs of the community have to be considered
Only the community itself can give answers to the above questions, especially considering it has necessary resources and potential for that. No one is qualified enough to advise on the improvement of the life of the community unless they have come to know it closely from the inside. “The primary task of the local authorities is to familiarize themselves with the current needs of the community, – emphasized Halyna Babych, the head of Ivakiv “Doviria” Centre. - The initiative for change should come from the community, though, not from the authorities, otherwise proposed reforms are very unlikely to succeed.”
Volodymyr Chobotariov, community activist, entrepreneur from Druzhnia village, Kyiv region, elaborated on the problems of Roma: “How can we talk about high and lofty matters if in my village where a lot of Roma reside, most grown-ups cannot even write and read?”
Answer #4: Covert leader is a driving force behind change
It is very important to look for leaders in the local community knowledgeable of problems their community faces and solutions to these problems. According to Liudmyla Boiko, head of Borodianka “Doviria” Centre, oftentimes a covert leader is not a head of the village council but a successful farmer who sets a good example of solving problems the community is reluctant to approach. These leaders should be our role models in uncovering the potential of the community.
Answer #5: Welfare of the nation is our common objective
All changes offered and good intentions expressed to improve life and satisfy the needs of the community share one objective – the welfare of the community regardless of nationality. The reality is that for reasons unknown to us we live together in one country, city, town, village; we have similar values and guiding principles. Wouldn’t it be wiser to unite our efforts? All in all, no one asks unrealistic things from us. It is enough to contribute to the improvement of the life of your community to make a difference.
Sisey Mohammad Sidique, African Council in Ukraine
The round table was held as a part of the “Equal opportunities for national minorities and disadvantaged groups in realizing cultural rights: richness through diversity” project, run by GURT Resource Centre and financially supported by the European Commission. The project aim is to preserve cultural diversity and support the culture of minorities by strengthening the capacities of local authorities, CSOs, managers of cultural institutions in local communities of Ukraine and Armenia.
Translated by Anastasia Filipiuk
