“Ukrainian mass media working abroad needs state support” – such was an appeal of Diaspora to Ukrainian authorities

To provide state financial support for the Ukrainian printed and internet mass media working abroad for 2009 – such was an appeal of the participants of the Days of Diaspora of Ukraine to the President of Ukraine, Prime-Minister and the Head of the Budget Committee of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Support of abroad Ukrainian mass media should become one of the first steps in changing state policy of Ukraine regarding Ukrainians who are living abroad. This idea was initiated by European Association of Ukrainians.

It is indicated in appeal which was adopted by the participants of the Days of Diaspora in Ukraine that every country is obliged to support informational space both within its own state and abroad. Lack of the decent state policy of Ukraine significantly damages an image of our state and therefore does not stimulate integration of Ukraine to Europe.

As an example of successful state policy regarding mass media working abroad we can name Russia, which annually spends millions of dollars to support newspapers of compatriot living abroad.

At the same time Ukrainians living in Europe (from 3 to 7 millions) do not have any support from Ukraine. A number of communities publish newsletters, newspapers and magazines of Ukrainian Diaspora. In these publications journalists tell about Ukraine, its history and its accomplishments. Nevertheless, private savings is not enough in order to sustain regular publication. Therefore, without state financial support such publications will be closed or will be issued on occasional basis. At the same time financial support - offered by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a support of Ukrainian Diaspora - is miserable. This support is not provided for Ukrainian printed mass media working abroad.

The participants of the Days of Diaspora in Ukraine ask to provide in the budget for 2009 as a separate article financial support for Ukrainian informational space of Ukrainian Diaspora, precisely – provide financial support of already existing Ukrainian mass media both printed and internet. We suggest involving already existing NGOs as the informational centers of cooperation between Ukraine and host countries of Ukrainians.

The appeal of the participants of the Days of Diaspora in Ukraine will be forwarded to the President of Ukraine, Prime-Minister and the Head of the Parliamentary Committee on budget issues. Their answer to this appeal will be disseminated among Ukrainian organizations situated abroad and mass media.

The text of the appeal can be found on the following website:
http://www.ukrassociation.eu/2008/12/01/zvernennya/

Information
The Days of Diaspora in Ukraine were held in Kiev 20-30 of November 2008. International Symposium of Ukrainian writers, poets and dramatists living abroad, International Symposium of the heads of the unions of the NGOs of Ukrainian Diaspora, and Forum of Creative Youth were held in frames of this international meeting. The organizers of the Days of the Diaspora have managed numerous master classes and creative meetings. Organizers of the Days of Diaspora were Ministery of Culture and Tourism in Ukraine, organization committee of the Round the World Caravan INTERCULTURA in Ukraine; producers company ETNO SOUND; NGO Center of development of creativity Lilia. Co-organizers European Association of Ukrainians, Society of Contacts with Ukrainians Living Abroad “Ukraine-World”, World Congress of Ukrainians.