| Current issue |
|---|
|
Volume 4, issue 08 August 2010 Kharkiv was not originally included among Ukraine`s four first choice Euro 2012 host cities, but the East Ukrainian capital forced itself into contention by pushing ahead impressively with a variety of infrastructure projects. This determination was finally rewarded when Kharkiv replaced Dnipropetrovsk as a UEFA host city in 2009.
|
| Most viewed |
|---|
| Economy |
|---|
|
Metalist maracles win UEFA respect
|
| Economy |
|---|
|
Kharkiv airport: ready for take off
|
| Monthly photo diary |
|---|
|
23:47 Saturday, September 4, 2010 |
|
Politics Ukrainian democracy’s regional roots
Anyone attempting to gauge where Ukraine is headed should look beyond the bright lights of Kyiv
Kristina Wilfore, National Democratic Institute Volume 4, issue 4 April 2010
Years spent working on the campaign trail alongside candidates, elected officials and grassroots advocates have taught me one core lesson: no matter which country you are in, all politics truly is local. In Ukraine, the closer-than-anticipated recent presidential election and subsequent protracted debate about the kind of leadership needed to get the country moving could lead one to believe that the only thing that matters is what’s happening in Kyiv. Perhaps some analysts are too quick to size up the state of the entire country without even leaving Khreschatik. Taking the democratic pulse of Europe’s largest country As a newcomer to Ukraine, I knew that the best and quickest way to get to know this vast land was to leave behind the tired headlines and political gamesmanship of the capital city, pack my bags and hit the road (or train tracks in this case) to meet with the people who are closer to the people – civic leaders, activists, city council members, mayors and everyday citizens in towns and cities all over Ukraine. I traveled to areas that would give me what I hoped would be a diverse view of the country - geographically, culturally and economically. From Vinnytsia to Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv to Lviv, a number of common themes kept arising. Unsung heroes of local government Cities that clear their snow may also be clearing a path to democracy. In a healthy democracy something as basic as plowing the snow can serve as a symbol of an elected official’s responsiveness to citizens and his or her desire to improve their quality of life. The people most accountable for making transportation work – and providing the leadership to resolve a host of other urban problems - are the country’s mayors. Among the many I met, two who stand out are Volodymyr Groisman in Vinnytsia and Volodymyr Chaika of Mykolaiv. In a city hall made of glass that communicates transparency, Mayor Groisman has set up an office to hear from citizens and respond to their concerns. The result has been more accessible and clean parks, improved road conditions and better access to health care, and an assortment of other changes. Meanwhile, tthe Mayor of Mykolaiv’s leadership and innovation have helped transform a military shipbuilding industry dependent on the Cold War by providing job retraining and opportunities for homeownership for workers left without employment. Back to basics for grassroots Ukrainian democracy We all know that since the Orange Revolution Ukraine’s democratic progress has slowed. Hopes for more responsive and accountable political institutions have not been fulfilled. Instead, Ukrainians have faced years of political polarization, infighting among leaders and policy paralysis. As a result, there is currently a near obsession with this sad storyline among Ukraine pundits. However, far away from their Kyiv headquarters, the country’s political parties appear to be slowly realizing they must do better if they are to survive and thrive. While Ukraine’s political parties have traditionally tended to see little utility in sustained outreach to citizens and focused instead on short-term electoral goals, scores of conversations across the country show that the political sands are potentially shifting in the regions. Regional party leaders are thinking and talking about the need to plan for and invest in long-term growth and to strive to represent voter’s interests. These changes may be precursors to action. More parties than ever are asking for training to incorporate European and Western practices. Some are using new technologies and trying to develop real issue campaigns. The proof will be in the pudding, but there’s clearly an opening. Time to move from demagoguery to debate Ukraine needs to get rid of passive tent campaigning. Parties need to get over their phobia of going door-to-door and let go of exaggerated notions of the value of so-called “black PR,” which in reality does little more than turn election communication into childish name calling. Citizens also need to do their part by becoming informed political consumers, demanding genuine contrast among candidates based on issues and values. All of these things are possible when there’s the will to make change. However, no sustainable progress is possible without a sustained effort to build a robust civic infrastructure and connect all the relevant policy and political puzzle pieces. Some analysts are too quick to criticize the ineffectiveness of civil society in today’s Ukraine without appreciating the challenges of being an activist in a country that still carries much of the baggage of a Soviet mentality. Nor is the situation all bad - while there is admittedly enormous frustration and handwringing on the part of civic advocates, there is also a new generation emerging with fresh ideas and a willingness to organize smartly – working with elected leaders and political parties on shared priorities. Many of the civic organizations I spoke with across Ukraine realize they need to change course and combine forces to be more effective. A recognition of the problem and a motivation to reform are preconditions for real change, and we are seeing signs that a new generation of civic activists in the regions is ready to lead that charge. Let’s be clear, there are many problems in today’s Ukraine that can’t be fixed by positive thinking alone. But there are slivers of hope and clear examples of success. I was reminded of how much progress has been made when I sat across the desk from Mayor Chaika, learning about his plans for improving his community, while looking at the Ukrainian and American flags on his desk in a city that was closed to me as a foreigner only 14 years ago. This is progress. Cynics beware – the energy and ideas percolating outside of Kyiv show the potential for improvement. Kristina Wilfore is Director of the Ukraine office for the National Democratic Institute (www.ndi.org). With more than 17 years of political experience she moved to Ukraine to help party and civic activists work on the country’s democratic development. NDI’s work in Ukraine is supported by the US Agency for International Development, National Endowment for Democracy, and other donors.The views expressed are not necessarily of USAID |
