12 Steps towards Peace, Restoration and Development of Donbas and Ukraine presented in Lysychansk

17:07 / 06 Apr. 2016 / 802

12 Steps towards Peace, Restoration and Development of Donbas and Ukraine have been presented in Lysychansk. The presentation took place within the framework of the Conference “Restoring Donbas and Ukraine”, which was held in Lysychansk (Luhansk province) today. The conference was hosted by “Restoring Donbas” Community Initiative, “New Ukraine” Strategic Studies Institute, Ukrainian Institute for Analysis and Management of Policy, Institute for Social Protection of Citizens, “Successful Country” Political Party, under the auspices of the local authorities.

During the presentation Olena Petryayeva, Head of “Restoring Donbas” Community Initiative, noted: “Due to the collaborative work of the organizers of the today’s Conference we’ve developed a common vision which is reflected in joint 12 steps to peace, restoration and development of Donbas and Ukraine. That is not a framework document, but a way, which corresponds to our outlook at the future of Donbas as a part of Ukraine, at restoration of the region after the military conflict and at building of a peaceful future”.

She also addressed to those present in the hall with a proposal to join efforts in order to bring that strategic plan to life, irrespective of what means are currently available. In her opinion, peaceful and prosperous Donbas will be the result of such joint work.

Appeal of Olena Petryayeva for cooperative work on restoration and reintegration of the region ridden with the military conflict was heard and accepted not only by members of the public present in the hall, but also local provincial authorities.

Thus, Yelyzaveta Pushko-Tsybuliak, the First Deputy Chair of Luhansk Provincial Civilian-Military Administration, noted: “Restoration of Donbas should unite all Ukrainians, no matter what. And in that case only there will be the growth of economy and development of the civil society of the region. If we all take actions, then there will be a result. Authorities and social activists should unite their efforts”.

Serhii Shylin, Mayor of Lysychansk, spoke of the difficult situation in the region, too: “Residents of the city have become the hostages of the situation in Donbas. I hope that today’s conference will draw the attention of the country’s leaders to the problems of residents of the region”.

Participants of the conference also didn’t overlook the problems, which displaced persons currently have with obtaining of a displaced person certificate, procurement of targeted aid and pensions. “If in 2014 people used to spend several hours in order to obtain a displaced person certificate, today they have to spend 4 days of their life for that. Moreover, fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine are violated! In connection with that we prepare a suit in support of internally displaced persons and urge all those partial to join it!” – Maryna Dedusheva, Head of “Uspishna Kraina” Political Party, said.

In order to restore stability in the region, the role of the local government needs to be strengthened. Such idea was advanced by Andrii Yermolaiev, Director of “Our Ukraine” National Strategic Studies Institute. “Development of local government is of great importance now, as local government is a very strong argument for restoration of the living space in the region and the country in whole”, – he noted.

Further integration of displaced persons living in the controlled territories upon their return to their home grounds will arouse major concern according to Ruslan Bortnik, Director of the Ukrainian Institute for Analysis and Management of Policy: “60% of displaced persons staying in the territories controlled by Ukraine, express a desire to return home. And the way how those people will be able to integrate at home, in the circumstances which are new already, – that is a serious problem of building social relationships, which is to be decided”.

Following the results of the conference, an agreement on enlargement of the membership and joining to implementation of the Memorandum on Cooperation and Interaction between Members of the Public, Scientific Community, Business for Restoration and Development of Donbas and Ukraine, concluded on 10 December 2015 by the Lysychansk Municipal Organization of the Red Cross Society, was signed.

It will be recalled that on the eve of the Conference “Restoring Donbas” Community Initiative under the auspices of the Lysychansk city authorities opened the Social Aid Center for residents of the city and region.

It is also worth noting that during the Conference there were trainings held in Lysychansk: for teachers and representatives of authorities “Care Delivery to those Suffering from a Mine-Blast Trauma”, for upper-formers “Safe Behavior where a Mine Explosive is Detected”, as well as “Project-based Approach in Community Development. Fundraising and Project Preparation Skills” training.

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