Ukraine has to change its attitude towards Ukrainians living abroad

Contemporary state policy of Ukraine regarding Ukrainians living abroad is insufficiently effective and needs radical overview aiming to stipulate its activation and reinforcement of the role of Ukraine in the world. This statement was declared by the President of European Association of Ukrainians Oleksiy Tolkachov on the occasion of opening of the Days of Diaspora in Ukraine which were held in Kiev 20-30 of November 2008. Millions of Ukrainians live abroad and annually this number is growing. Ukrainian Diaspora is one of the biggest foreign investors into Ukrainian economy, bearers of the unique experience, knowledge and opportunities. Ukrainians living abroad significantly influence the formation of international image of Ukraine. 

On the 13 of November 2006 the Decree of the President of Ukraine has established National Concept Regarding Contacts with the Ukrainian Living Abroad. The practice has shown insufficiency and imperfection of this document which unable to realize complex state policy. Ukraine needs the adoption of the new basis of state policy regarding Ukrainians living abroad. 

First of all, state policy regarding Ukrainians living abroad should be adopted in a form of a Law of Ukraine. This step will allow strengthening the priority of state policy among other state activities. At the same, it will ensure consideration of its priorities and dispositions while adoption of other laws and bylaws.  

Secondly, there is a necessity to increase state financial support of the state policy regarding Ukrainians living abroad. And this increase should be started in 2009 regardless of the economical crisis. This step will reinforce the influence of Ukrainians in the world. 

Thirdly, new state policy as to Ukrainians living abroad should be a long-term program, with a duration of 5, 10 or even 20 years. This document should be composed out of general dispositions, and at the same time composed out of very specific action plan. It should contain steps, period of time during which they should be achieved and criteria of efficiency of state activities. 

Fourthly, state policy as to Ukrainian Diaspora should be based on appropriate purpose-oriented program, that should be initiated by Ukraine. As for today one of the biggest necessity is to establish Ukrainian informational cultural centers, schools, Ukrainians mass media. There is an obvious need to reform  State TV and Radio Station “World Service “Ukrainian TV and Broadcasting” aiming to make Ukrainian informational product more effective. 

Fifthly, state should actively involve Ukrainian Diaspora and their unions to implementation of international policy of Ukraine, and not only about holodomor. Ukrainians living abroad have a unique potential of promotion and support of Ukrainian interests abroad. And this potential is unfortunately not used.

Ukraine should take as an example from other states regarding state policy as to compatriots. Some states pay special attention to their compatriots living abroad. These states implement relevant programs; and these acts insure not only achievement of their geopolitical goals, but also reinforcement of their strength in the world. 

State should play active role in establishment of relations with Ukrainian Diaspora, state should initiate programs, campaigns, and actively support movements of Ukrainians living abroad. Unfortunately, we may only testify active support of ministry of culture and tourism of Ukraine, ministry of foreign affairs and diplomatic mission of Ukraine, which are concerned about Ukrainians abroad. Overview of this state policy as to Ukrainian Diaspora and increase of state financial support will allow reinforcement of activities of this state bodies and will define priorities of the state on international level. 

European Association of Ukrainians addressed the President and the Government of Ukraine an appeal to elaborate this new state policy regarding Ukrainian Diaspora and suggests to establish interdepartmental commission with involvement of scientific and expert circles, representatives of Ukrainian Diaspora, as well as the general public. 

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