Seminar about Ukrania A discussion based on the current situation in Ukraine, what has happened on the Maidan, what is happening in Crimea at the moment and what will happen in Ukraine in the future.
22 March 2014
An important parameter is the citizenship perspective; that it took time for the outside world to react, the courage and civil courage of the people of Ukraine to dare to protest against the government, their work against oppression, their striving for human rights and for democratic values.
The goal of the seminar is to spark a discussion about why the protests on the Maidan started; the people's protests against corruption and lack of respect for human rights in the country. What has happened during the process and how have these protests led to the ethnic conflict that today is not limited to Crimea alone but has gained a foothold in the whole of Ukraine?
Program: 12.30-12.45: Joacim Díaz Björk, board member of Färgfabriken welcomes, Caroline Edelstam, chairperson of Stiftelsen Harald Edelstam gives an introduction to the day and Yevgeniya Avehred, Ukrainian apolitical activist living in Sweden, introduces the speakers.
12.45-1.25pm: Sergiy Shavro, non-political activist from Ukraine recounts his story from the demonstrations on the Maidan from the first day to its end, how he was injured and survived in the fight for human rights to see a democratic Ukraine.
13.25-14.10: Svitlana Konochuk, responsible for the democratization program for political institutions at the "Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research". She gives a description and analysis of what has happened, the current situation in Crimea and a forecast of what is believed to happen in the future.
14.10-14.30: Vasilia Shchegoleva, architect from eastern Ukraine talks about the general state of the country and the mood among young people and students.
14.45-16.00: Dialogue on the situation in Ukraine led by journalist Ulrika Nilsson and participants are: Sergiy Shavro, apolitical activist from Ukraine. Svitlana Konochuk, from the "Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research". Miroslav Durdevic, case officer, Civil Rights Defenders. Larysa Sherstylo, from the Union of Ukrainian Women in Scandinavia. Caroline Edelstam, chairman of the Harald Edelstam Foundation. Vasilia Shchegoleva, architect from eastern Ukraine. Yevgeniya Avehred, apolitical activist from Ukraine who works with MR projects at Folkuniversitet. Ove Bring, professor emeritus of international law at the Norwegian Defense Academy. Annette Dahlqvist, Head of the Democracy Academy and adviser to the Human Rights Days. Shane Quinn, representative from the Folke Bernadotte Academy.
16.00-16.30: Summary and question time led by Mona Strindberg, chairperson of the UN association in Uppsala.