Ukraine’s Regional Policy: Setting Socio-Humanitarian Priorities of Development Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research Kyiv, 2006 The book presents the first analysis of key issues, directions of development and objectives of Ukraine’s socio-humanitarian policy. The authors studied budget funding of current public and regional socio-humanitarian programs and identified their priorities. The publication highlights some problems of Ukrainian regional policy in the humanitarian area. Specifically, the authors analyzed fundamental values and preferences of the population of different Ukrainian regions and outlined mechanisms for overcoming of existing inter-regional stereotypes. The book covers issues of protection of minority rights, fulfillment of Ukraine’s international obligations, major challenges of implementation of principles of transparency in the context of regional policy development and cooperation of the government with civil society institutions. CONTENT: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………3 Chapter 1. Budget Funding of Public Regional Programs in the Socio-Humanitarian Area Budget Funding of Public Programs in the Socio-Humanitarian Area (Regional Context) ………...5 Funding of Socio-Humanitarian Policy Activities (as of January 1, 2005) By Olena Nyzhnyk, Head of the Directorate, Department of Regional Policy, Ministry of Economy and European Integration and Tetyana Kravets, Head, Department of Legislative Provision of Regional Development, Ministry of Economy and European Integration…………………………...……………………….39 Chapter 2. Economic Challenges of Regional Policy "Economy of Provinces": Challenges of Regional Development By Markiyan Datsyshyn, Director, Non-Governmental Analytical Center "Institute of Reforms"…51 Chapter 3. Powers of National Authorities in the Context of Development and Implementation of Ukraine’s Public Socio-Humanitarian Policy Analysis of Powers of National Executive Authorities Responsible for Development and Implementation of Public Socio-Humanitarian Policy of Ukraine…………………………………60 Chapter 4. Values and Stereotypes in the Context of National Unity Difference in Values between Various Regions of Ukraine: Possible Ways to Address the Problem of the "Disunity of Ukraine" By Rostyslav Pavlenko, Head, Situation Analysis Service, Secretariat of the President of Ukraine and Olena Viter, Senior Consultant, Speech Writing Unit, Secretariat of the President of Ukraine………………………………………………………….…74 Nationwide and Regional Interests in Modern Ukraine By Oleksandr Maiboroda, Doctor of History, Head, Department of Ethno-Political Science, Institute of Political and Ethno-National Studies, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine……95 Ukraine in Search of New Reintegration Models By Volodymyr Lupatsiy, Executive Director, Center for Social Studies "Sofia"…………………119 Analysis of Issues of Considering Soviet Heritage in Ukraine’s Socio-Humanitarian Policy By Olexiy Kordun, Senior Advisor, Situation Analysis Service, Secretariat of the President of Ukraine……………………………………………………………130 Chapter 5. Securing of Rights of National Minorities and Peoples Multiculturalism Policy and Consolidation of the Ukrainian Society: Challenges and Perspectives By Svitlana Kononchuk, Head, Political Programs, Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research……………………………………………148 Features of Implementation of Regional and Manpower Policies by National Authorities in Areas, Where National Minorities are Concentrated Territorially By Andriy Duda, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy National University……………………………………………………….176 New Regional Policy in the Light of Ukraine’s International Obligations on the Rights of National and Linguistic Minorities By Olena Semyorkina, Director, Center for Legal Reform and Legislative Drafting, Ministry of Justice of Ukraine……………………………………………………………………..194 Public Policy and Government Actions on Meeting Cultural and Humanitarian Needs of National Minorities in Ukraine By Olexiy Koshel, Director, Analytical Center "Rada"……………………………………...……205 Chapter 6. Ensuring Transparency of Regional Policy Specificity of Ensuring Transparent Government Policy-Making in the Context of Regional Development By Oleksandr Svergunov, Senior Expert, Department of Strategic and Perspective Projects, Secretariat, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine…………………….215 Appendixes Summary on the Focus Group Results………………………………………………………..…237 Policies and Programs that Promote the Development of a Canadian National Identity. Background Documents and Information…………………………………………………….…259 The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)……………….283 Introduction In the process of implementing public regional policy, ways and methods for solving social and humanitarian problems have not been addressed for long, which, however, could have facilitated formation of national cohesion and unity in Ukraine. As a matter of fact, setting key directions and priorities of regional policy, the government addressed issues of socio-economic development, especially that of the depressed regions. On May 25, 2001, the President of Ukraine signed the decree that approved the Concept of the Public Regional Policy. The document dealt mostly with economic problems of further regional development. The Concept declared major goals of public regional policy as follows, “To create conditions for dynamic and balanced social and economic development of Ukraine and its regions; enhance living standards of the population; ensure compliance with the established public social guarantees for citizens irrespective of place of their residence; accelerate market transformation processes on the basis of increasing efficiency of regions’ potential, enhancing effectiveness of administrative decisions, improving work of governmental agencies and local self-government bodies.” In order to attain these goals, it is necessary “to make an in-depth analysis and appraisal of internal natural, economic, scientific and labor potentials of every region, to work out comprehensive legal, organizational, economic and other mechanisms for their effective use; carry out structural economic reforms in the regions on an innovation basis; gradually reduce territorial differences in economic development of Ukraine and its regions; strengthen economic integration of the regions taking into consideration advantages of territorial division and labor cooperation of as one of the basic economic factors enhancing competitiveness of the state in the international markets.” In their actions on formulation and implementation of public regional policy, the Ukrainian government very often disregarded the whole number of urgent problems determining the need to carry out an effective and consistent regional policy, which would foster not only decentralization of power, economic reforms, development of the regions and local self-government but also promote formation of a political Ukrainian nation through a shared national identity, maintenance and development of language and cultural diversity of national minorities and territorial communities. Actually, a system approach to public regional policy as a mechanism ensuring unity and cohesion was absent in Ukraine. At present, socio-cultural problems of public regional policy are getting very acute. Experience of the 2004 political crisis demonstrated the dire need for development of a public regional policy as a package of coordinated strategic actions of the government. Local political elites used to speculate on the issue of the so-called “regional separatism”. These politicians instigate inter-ethnic hostilities and in some way spread derogatory information against others based on race, ethnicity or religious beliefs thereby artificially provoking inter-regional confrontation. Today, both Ukrainian political elites and representatives of the so-called “third force” exploit the old historical myths and stereotypes. It is not only historical realities but also the absence of a consistent and strategic public regional policy based on the shared ideas and values that give grounds for political speculations and impede formation of a political Ukrainian nation consolidated by the shared citizenship. Given its absence, tension in inter-regional relations would only heighten. Recent events actualized the problem of the absence of social values shared in the eastern and western Ukrainian regions. This is especially true for interpretation and understanding of Ukraine’s history and culture and development of a common vision of the future. First and foremost, polarization of the Ukrainian society is observed in approaches to Euro-Atlantic integration and cooperation with the CIS states. It is time to comprehend the necessity to elaborate a system approach, which would help to strengthen national unity and form a political and multi-ethnic Ukrainian nation pursuant to the Constitution of Ukraine. Now, Ukrainian authorities understand these challenges. The matter in question is not only economic elements of a regional policy but also identification of humanitarian and cultural directions and priorities in the government activities, which would contribute to national consolidation, eliminate stereotypes existing in relations between the East and West, promote and strengthen stability in the society. The Long-Term Development Strategy of Ukraine and GOV Priorities for 2006-2007 emphasizes national unity. This determines the need to take appropriate measures to reduce political and cultural polarization