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The leaders’ summary of the implementation results of the “Rethinking Ukrainian Identity” Project

On December 16, the final meeting took place where the organizers and participants summarized the implementation of the “Rethinking Ukrainian Identity” project. The speakers included Yulia Tychkivska, Executive Director of Aspen Institute Kyiv, Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, as well as members of the Ukrainian Parliament: Dmytro Natalukha (“Servant of People”), Yuri Pavlenko (“Opposition Platform — For Life”), Victoria Syumar (“European Solidarity”), and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn (“Holos”). 

For the duration of ten project seminars, the Aspen Institute Kyiv brought together leaders with diverse perspectives to explore ways to overcome divisive discourses in Ukrainian society and strengthen the foundation of an inclusive political nation. Throughout the year, 207 leaders from various fields participated, including 95 members of parliament, three ministers, and seven mayors.

Participants in the project’s dialogue sessions sometimes held different positions on the topics under discussion. Through unbiased dialogue, leaders were provided a space to hear and understand each other, allowing for a broader understanding of contemporary and future Ukrainian identity. 

Moderated by Andrii Kulakov and Anton Drobovych, the speakers at the concluding event shared their thoughts on their participation in the project, contemporary Ukrainian identity, and prospects for its further evolution. Despite differences in political positions, all parliamentary representatives emphasized the importance of dialogue for developing Ukrainian society. At the end, participants engaged in an interactive survey regarding the key features of Ukrainian identity.

“The Institute has been working on national identity for three years. Many Ukrainian leaders felt the real need to answer a simple question: what does it mean to be a modern Ukrainian, especially after the Revolution of Dignity? Throughout the project, we engaged various stakeholders to discuss this crucial question. We aimed to create a platform for dialogue because, in a dynamic and evolving world where we are changing, seeking solutions is no less important than finding a specific answer here and now,” said Yulia Tychkivska, Executive Director of Aspen Institute Kyiv.

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