Values in Action — How Humanism, Advocacy, and Localization Are Transforming Approaches in the Civic Sector: The Aspen Institute Kyiv Held a Seminar for the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations
On May 30, the Aspen Institute Kyiv, in partnership with the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations, held a seminar titled “Localisation in Action: From Humanitarian Response to Recovery.”
The participants—members of the Alliance of Ukrainian CSOs and leaders of Ukrainian civic organizations—discussed how humanism’s values serve as a practical guiding principle for the development of the humanitarian field and society as a whole.
Ukraine’s civil society is transforming and centring around returning to core values. Humanism as a foundation for interaction means respecting every person’s dignity, recognizing the right to life as the highest value, and maintaining a readiness for cooperation, even in competitive environments.
Advocacy is increasingly seen not merely as a tool of influence but as a value-based practice that blends strategic thinking with emotional intelligence. Its strength lies in building trust, mobilizing communities, and shaping public demand without political manipulation.
Participants emphasized the importance of avoiding politicizing civic initiatives and the risks of corruption. Transparency and accountability are no longer formalities but prerequisites for trust, and without trust, no reform can have a lasting impact.
Localization presents both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s not only about decentralizing resources but about redefining responsibility: creating local support models, engaging communities in decision-making, and establishing effective mechanisms to meet needs at the grassroots level.
Mila Leonova, Director of the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations, shared the core values of the Alliance during a moderated discussion and spoke about the opportunities that collaboration within the Alliance can offer. Participants explored possible directions for joint efforts to strengthen their collective impact.
Olena Fomina, Police Program Director at the Aspen Institute Kyiv, coordinated the seminar.
Denis Poltavets, Director of Program Development at the Aspen Institute Kyiv, and Anton Drobovych, Head of the Centre for Human Rights and Memorialization at KSE, moderated the session.
The Aspen Institute Kyiv continues to empower Ukrainian leaders because it believes that dialogue, mutual understanding, and partnership are the keys to transforming Ukrainian society for the better. We sincerely thank all participants and partners for their cooperation, openness, and shared contributions to seeking solutions for Ukraine’s development.
