In response to the call of the coordination council for the formation of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine, on July 5 a Volyn Regional Conference of the Civic Assembly was held in Lutsk. The main theme of the conference was "The Political Crisis: Positions of Civil Society". The organizers of the forum were the Volyn public organization "Association of Young Reformers" and the Volyn representation of the Civic Network "OPORA". Representatives of 14 Volyn public organizations took part in the work of the event. These include in particular: the NGO "Institute for Analysis of State and Regional Policy", the Intellectual Service Consortium "Leon-Analytic", the Association of Young Political Scientists and Politicians, the Volyn Regional Public Organization "Volyn Press Club", the Center for Political Analysis and Electoral Consulting, the Volyn Regional Public Organization "Impulse", the Youth Nationalist Congress, the Volyn Regional Charitable Foundation "Oleh Chernetskyi", the Volyn Regional Public Organization "Gender Center", the Center for Municipal Reforms "Lutsk-1432", the Public-Consulting Group "PARTNER". At the conference, the attitude of public organizations to the political crisis was clarified, its causes and possible consequences for Ukraine were determined. Particular attention was paid to the role of existing public organizations in the process of overcoming the crisis, as well as to the directions of activity of the civic initiative before and after the election campaign. Many ideas were proposed regarding forms and methods of public control. In the analytical part of the conference, the participants gave a detailed analysis of the political morality existing in the country, which in the actions of a significant part of politicians corresponds to its name – immorality. Behind fine words and attractive slogans these politicians conceal their anti-social activity. It was noted that in modern Ukrainian politics there are essentially no strategic programs for the development of the country, there is no comprehensive approach to resolving pressing issues. Participants of the regional conference of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine emphasized the need to develop and implement a new modern model of the Ukrainian political system, which should become an effective instrument for the progressive development of the country. This in particular envisages carrying out a large-scale legal reform, reform of the local governance system, and the development of a clear course toward the formation in Ukraine of a middle class – the mainstay of the democratic order. An important link in this matter is the national-cultural revival and development of Ukrainians and autochthonous peoples (Crimean Tatars, Gagauz, Krymchaks). Regarding purely political issues, it was noted that public organizations must do everything so that the elections to the Verkhovna Rada take place within the framework of law and morality. Changes to the Constitution or a new edition of the Fundamental Law must be carried out without haste with the involvement of domestic and foreign specialists and broad informing of the public, but in no case at a referendum. The participants of the event set themselves the following special tasks: on the basis of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine to create a permanent platform for the exchange of positions and opinions of public organizations throughout the country and, through the efforts of all participants of the assembly, to begin work on developing and introducing into everyday life new values for Ukrainian society that would unite the whole country. Following the results of the conference, an Appeal to the authorities, politicians, and citizens and an Appeal to the participants of the All-Ukrainian Forum of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine were adopted. Delegates from Volyn were elected to participate in the All-Ukrainian Conference of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine, which will be held on July 24, 2007 with the assistance of the International Renaissance Foundation.
Appeal to the authorities, politicians, and citizens of the participants of the Volyn Regional Conference of the Civic Assembly of Ukraine Lutsk July 5, 2007
We, representatives of public organizations of the Volyn region, consider it necessary to draw the attention of the entire Ukrainian society to the dangerous tendencies that have been taking place in Ukrainian politics recently. The existing political crisis in Ukraine shows that the country risks finding itself in a state of political anarchy and lawlessness. It is obvious that all citizens of Ukraine must become a united front against such a development of events and offer the country a path of prospective development.
We appeal to all branches of power: You are obliged to work for the benefit of every citizen, You are obliged to multiply the wealth of the country, You are obliged to be responsible for your words and deeds, You are obliged to be patriots. If all that has been said is not for You, if you cannot change – leave power. We appeal to all politicians: Think about the people of which You are a part. Offer society new strategic programs, a new path for the development of the country. Stop turning politics into a dirty and immoral business. Commit yourselves to observing the norms of the law, renounce actions that could cause a split in the country. We appeal to all non-governmental, public organizations: Take on the role of public controller and mediator between the state and society, society and the state. During the elections and thereafter, monitor the actions of politicians and inform the public about this as widely as possible. Unite your efforts – this will make it possible to work effectively for a common goal. We appeal to all citizens: Feel yourselves to be citizens. When going to the elections, remember – You give politicians the right to do with the state and with You whatever they want. Be conscious when making your choice. Take an interest not only in the surnames of politicians and the names of parties – read their programs, analyze their slogans, monitor their actions and constantly remind politicians of their promises.
For our part, we commit ourselves to coordinating our actions aimed at overcoming the crisis in the state, developing and implementing into life new ideas and programs called upon to solve the problems of the Volyn region, and defending the interests of ordinary people before the authorities.