For four days, Ukrainian civil society leaders started a dialogue about Ukrainian post-war reconstruction
Since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, over 12 million Ukrainians have fled to safety within the country and beyond. Ukrainian civil society will play a vital role in rebuilding the country post-war, but with people – women especially – so dispersed and in exile, how can the sector be better connected and supported?
From July 11 to 15, 48 Ukrainian civil society leaders, policymakers, and members of the private sector came together to discuss just that. That week was not only a way for Ukrainians to reconnect, but also to recharge in the peaceful environment of Schloss Leopoldskron, allowing them to go back to their lives filled with hope and determination for the future of their country. Through this international convening, Salzburg Global Seminar sought to elevate the voices of Ukrainian women especially, as well as displaced persons, and in the context of civil society to support their connections to other international political and development leaders.
“I was lucky to become one of the 80 participants of the Salzburg Global Seminar, which has been bringing together responsible leaders from around the world for 75 years, who are building a new effective future in their countries. This time the topic is Ukrainian Civil Society during the war, and for four days we are working on a plan for the effective reconstruction of the country in the short and long term, in all spheres of life: human rights and democracy, cities and local societies, education, art and culture. 20% of participants are non-Ukrainians. States, Europe and Africa. The dialogue of leaders with different experiences and worldviews is priceless. I am very much looking forward to what our joint work will lead to and I anticipate big changes in our KIND Challenge work. Nothing is impossible when you are supported by the bravest. When you are accepted into this team – without borders, people,” said Tatiana Grinuova, Founder of Kind Challenge, on LinkedIn, about her experience at Salzburg Global.
Charles Ehrlich, Program Director at Salzburg Global Seminar, reflected on the past week: “The tremendous and inspirational group assembled represented about as broad a spectrum of Ukrainian civil society as could be assembled under conditions of war and displacement. We intended to provide an oasis of safety and peace for Fellows who have been under enormous stress and trauma in the last months (and in some cases years, given that Russian forces invaded Ukraine already in 2014), to give them time to think, to support each other, and to reflect together. Through dialogue and interchange, they have crafted a joint vision for the future of their country – a future that they can start building now. We are truly very proud of them.”
Some of the key issues discussed throughout the program include peacebuilding and mediation within Ukraine, a deep dive into the priorities of Ukraine’s civil society, along with the role of the private sector in creating economic stability and the rule of law.
“It’s very interesting and inspiring to connect with people from different parts of Ukrainian society and hearing their stories firsthand, hearing their experiences firsthand, and hearing what they are doing in Ukraine and within the international community. The level of commitment, energy, and inspiration is just beyond anything I could possibly expect”, said George Casey , Global Managing Partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP, Ukrainian-American and program participant.
The Fellows are currently finalizing a Salzburg Statement, in which they set out the priorities and recommendations from Ukrainian civil society identified at this meeting. The document will be published in English and Ukrainian. The Salzburg Statement will bring key issues to the attention of policymakers and people of influence, acting as an advocacy tool for groups lobbying for change.
It will be based on the premises:
• Recognizing that Ukrainian civil society will play a vital role in rebuilding the country immediately and continuing after the end of the current war;
• Stressing that this meeting was for (not about) Ukrainian civil society, and sought to connect and support this work;
• Determining to ensure that women will be essential to, and displaced persons remain central in, planning and decision-making, and should be heard by international and Ukrainian political and development sector leadership; and
• Desiring intra-Ukrainian social cohesion, resilience, and cooperation.
Salzburg Global is grateful to our partners who have made this program possible, the United States Institute of Peace and 21st Century Trust; and to our supporters, the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Institute of International Education.
To find out more about the session, click here.
