Resolution of a Round Table “European Integration of Ukraine: role of youth”

To your attention is a Resolution of a round table “European Integration of Ukraine: role of youth”, that was held in Kiev on the 12th of June 2008. This resolution contains essential suggestions as to youth participant in processes of eurointegration, and therefore were discussed and supported by participants of the round table. 

RESOLUTION
of a round table “European Integration of Ukraine: role of youth”

Kiev, June 12, 2008

We participants of a round table which is consecrated to the problems of European integration of Ukraine, having discussed the prospects and the ways of youth participation in this strategic process, having heard representatives of Ukraine and international organizations, government bodies, experts and specialists on youth policy and European integration - have reached the following conclusions:

1. European integration is a key vector of a development strategy of Ukraine, which, without any doubt, is determinant for the future of Ukrainian youth. That is why youth shows special interest in the issues of European integration, actively participates and realizes a significant amount of the projects, directed towards informing and involvement of the society to “building Europe” in Ukraine.

2. An issue of European integration of Ukraine and its accession to the European Union are conceptually different notions; therefore they demand different approaches and different strategies. Unfortunately, Ukrainian politicians often confuse these notions and connect a process of European integration of Ukraine purely with its accession to the European Union. European integration foresees a big complex of positive transformations and reforms of European pattern, and which should be implemented regardless whether Ukraine will become a member of EU or not.

3. Ukrainian youth is an active actor of eurointegrational processes, however pro-European activities are often left without attention of the society and politicians. Meanwhile engagement of youth into implementation of state eurointegrational policy will release a huge youth potential and will accelerate transformational processes in Ukraine.

4. We should not forget about Ukrainian youth who temporally or permanently live in Europe. Young Ukrainians living abroad are the bearers of European life-style, therefore they can provide a significant social and political support to Ukraine.

Taking into consideration above mentioned, we believe advisable to suggest:

1. In order for Ukrainian youth to achieve considerable results in an area of eurointegration we recommend to set as a priority development of coordination and informational exchange among pro-European youth organizations. Also there is a need to make international contacts and cooperation of Ukrainian youth organization with European partners more active. With an aim of involvement of Ukrainian youth to European youth movement there is a necessity to create an informational resource portal on several foreign languages, that would contain information about Ukrainian youth organization, their activities and successes. This webpage will help European organizations in search of Ukrainian partners and will testify the existence of pro-European youth movement in Ukraine.

2. Implementation of state eurointegrational policy of Ukraine should be realized in active partnership with youth organizations. There is a vital necessity to involve pro-European youth organization to realization of State program of information of the society as to issue of European integration for 2008-2011. It is reasonable to initiate an establishment of a civil council attached to Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as to an issue of eurointegration with a separated youth division.

3. Special attention should be on the development of the infrastructure for youth in Ukraine, to be exact Ukrainian authorities can contribute to this process by establishment of the international youth center of European pattern, such as in Strasbourg and in Budapest.

4. There is a need in elaboration of the policy in Ukraine that would be directed on young Ukrainians leaving in the European Union. It is reasonable to support a renewal and reinforcement of their connections with Ukraine, and, simultaneously, their active participation in popularization of Ukraine in the European Union. Ukrainian society should support development of Ukrainian international youth movements and realization of the pr ojets.