On December 13, in Lutsk, at the independent public press center "Volyn Choice – 2006," a round table was held on the topic "The Role of Youth in the 2006 Election Process," initiated by the Volyn regional organization "National Alliance." Its participants were representatives of political party branches and youth organizations of Volyn. This was reported by the Western Information Corporation's own correspondent.
During the round table, the head of the All-Ukrainian youth public organization "National Alliance," Ihor Huz, noted that 2005 "did not become a breakthrough" regarding youth participation in politics. He emphasized: "The level of opportunity for young people to become deputies of local councils is much lower than in 2002. Today young people are forced to negotiate with political parties. But how interested are the parties themselves in them?"
Deputy head of the Volyn regional organization of the Ukrainian People's Party, Anatoliy Bubenshchykov, believes that young people themselves are not active enough. In the party he represents, cadres are selected not by age or gender indicators, but with regard to a person's activity.
The head of the Volyn regional organization of the People's Movement of Ukraine, Volodymyr Banada, is convinced: "Young people must take an active part in political life and complete what was started last year." According to him, the Rukh lists at the regional level have not yet been formed, however a certain quota is foreseen for young people. Volodymyr Banada expressed some regret regarding the unstable situation in the youth regional organization of Rukh, since as of today the position of its head remains vacant.
Deputy head of the Volyn regional party organization of the All-Ukrainian Union "Batkivshchyna," Ivan Tkachuk, assured those present that "the leadership of the All-Ukrainian Union 'Batkivshchyna' is aware of what role young people should play in politics, so there will be many young people on the election lists." The key points that the party promotes for young people are equal access to higher education and employment.
Representatives of the regional branches of the political parties NSNU and "Pora" emphasized that their parties already today consist mostly of young people, since the parties themselves are young, and will be represented by young active cadres in the governing bodies as well.