Points of Social Agreement and Potential Development Vectors: Aspen Institute’s Kyiv Seminar on “(Re)thinking the Social Contract for Ukraine”

On October 28, the Aspen Institute Kyiv conducted a live seminar titled “(Re)thinking the Social Contract for Ukraine.” Ukrainian Members of Parliament, representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, the judiciary, business leaders, economists, military personnel, high-ranking civil servants, and figures from the cultural sphere participated in the seminar.

In his opening remarks, Denis Poltavets, Director of Program Development at the Aspen Institute Kyiv, emphasized the importance of holding such seminars for fostering cross-sectoral dialogue, encouraging reflection on the future, and developing a vision for it.

Among other topics, seminar participants discussed:

• The need for a sober assessment of the situation and a clear understanding of individual responsibility for decisions and actions that shape the present and future of various communities, organizations, and the country.
• Social consensus can be built on what unites Ukrainians already and what needs strengthening. This includes pride in being Ukrainian, viewing Russia as a common enemy, Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic development vectors, and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
• Creating conditions for the return of Ukrainians who left due to the full-scale invasion, as they can play a significant role in rebuilding the state. Also, we need to develop a detailed roadmap for interacting with them.
• The idea of nation and state survival will not sustain our integrity in the long term. It is essential to shape a positive development vision.
• A rethought social contract should be based on dominant global trends such as inclusivity and tolerance for diversity, as we cannot ignore other communities where our citizens live or interact.
• A particular focus of the discussion was on respect for service members and thoughtful reintegration into civilian life according to their needs.
• Participants paid specific attention to human capital, the shortage of which is and will be increasingly felt. Its growth should be prioritized for all platforms developing models for Ukraine’s renewal.
• To ensure the stability of the social contract and its adaptation to inevitable changes, institutions should be built. Forming a value architecture for responsible citizenship (starting from preschool education) plays a significant role.
• An important task is to work out different development scenarios, prepare for each, and develop productive relationships with partners and stakeholders in Ukraine’s recovery.

Denis Poltavets, Director of Program Development at the Aspen Institute Kyiv, and Andriy Kulakov, Coordinator of the Aspen Institute Kyiv Community.

The “Social Contract for Ukraine” project is implemented with the support of NED (National Endowment for Democracy).