Kateryna Yushchenko's speech at the 10th annual conference of the Grantmakers East Group
Dear representatives of foundations and donor organizations!
Welcome to Ukraine!
It is my pleasure to be here at opening of the 10th annual conference of the Grant makers East Group. I am very flatted that you made a decision to conduct the Tenth Conference in Ukraine. It is another sign of the world’s newly awakened interest in our country.
The topic of your conference this year, Response to Change, is especially relevant to my country. As you know, Ukraine has undergone profound changes in the past year. We took a quantum leap forward in the development of our democracy and civil society. The Orange Revolution happened because the citizens of Ukraine had the courage to stand up for their dignity at a critical moment in their history and Ukrainians felt the moral support of the international community, which was rooting for their success in gaining their freedom.
Ukraine has always been located in the very center of Europe, and has never forgotten its European roots and values, its desire for democracy and freedom. Fourteen years ago, after gaining independence, inspired by its own great history and example of other newly independent countries, Ukraine started to build and develop its civil society, a new system of government, its own economic system. Some of your organizations and your foundations supported that long-term development, and for that I wish to express my gratitude.
But the Orange Revolution was not just a culmination, but a beginning. Ukraine faces formidable challenges ahead: institutionalizing democratic processes; developing and harmonizing new legislation, overcoming poverty and achieving social justice; renewing a culture of responsibility to one's community, country, and society; instilling transparency and accountability into government, business, and the nonprofit sector; dealing with the past to ensure a better future; building a society where each individual is valued and respected; setting up effective systems to promote sustainable development - these are just some of the main challenges.
The people of Ukraine are looking for economic and political stability and progress in quality of life that will only be possible after bold and methodical economic reforms. Ukrainians are inspired and proud of what they already achieved, and are ready to work hard in order to continue to be successful.
I proudly represent an organization that is helping to address some of these pressing issues - The Ukraine 3000 Foundation. It was launched five years ago to address major social problems and to help renew traditions of charitable giving in Ukraine.
We organize our work in three main directions: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. “Yesterday” is devoted to the preservation of Ukraine’s historical and cultural heritage. “Today” targets Ukraine’s social ills. And “Tomorrow” aims to involve NGOs in formulating a strategy for Ukraine’s future development. Some of our key projects include:
- a “Hospital to Hospital” program which is intent to improve health care for children by finding partners such as hospitals, universities, medical foundations and pharmaceutical companies for children’s hospitals throughout Ukraine. We also have a dream of creating of our children’s hospital in Kyiv;
- we are supporting program to help homeless, orphan children and the disabled;
- providing grants for historical, archeological, ethnographic and cultural research and programs;
We have a very large project to promote greater awareness of Genocide Famine of 1932-33. We also support educational programs for youth in a wide range of disciplines.
Through our cooperation with other Ukrainian and international organizations, we hope to resolve some of my country's most pressing problems in different areas. By our example, we hope to stimulate the growth of philanthropy and the revival of old Ukrainian traditions and culture of charity giving in Ukraine. There have been times in the past when Ukrainians donated their land, founded educational and charitable institutions, museums, hospitals, orphanages and social programs. Helping those in need, granting access to high quality education for poor people, supporting art and culture were matters of dignity for nobility, clergy and tradesmen. We want to bring back these traditions and this is where we need your help. We look to you for continued partnership, whether it is with the Ukraine 3000 Foundation or with the myriad of fine Ukrainian charitable organizations. We welcome your assistance as Ukraine continues on the path of European integration.
I'm very happy to see so many representatives of donor organizations here today. You have come to share your insights and experience with each other as well as with Ukrainian foundations, some of whom have already attended Grantmakers conferences, and others who have come for the first time. It's very important to have such opportunities to learn from colleagues and to raise the professional level of philanthropy. It is also extremely important to have a forum where assistance and efforts of international donor organizations can be coordinated and communicated to public. We want your efforts to be supported and appreciated.
But not only do we expect to learn from non-Ukrainian organizations on how we can better face our own challenges - we also hope that you will find our experience valuable, especially in building democracy and civil society. Of course we still struggle with difficulties, but we are determined to overcome them, and we will. My country has much to offer, as I am sure you will discover. It is also important that we were able to adapt experience of other countries to our realities and to make it relevant for our needs. Much as we gained from the experience of other countries, we also wish to extend a helping hand to others, and in this, too, we are counting on your support.
I am confident that Ukraine is embarking on a new era of democracy, economic prosperity and freedom.
I wish you a successful conference and a wonderful stay in Ukraine!
Print version
|
