Adopted by the International Conference "Strengthening of
Connections between NGO's for Increased Influence on the
Democratization Process in Ukraine" that took place in October
27-30, 1999
We, the participants of the International Conference
"Strengthening of Connections between NGO's for Increased
Influence on the Democratization Process in Ukraine" assembled
in Kharkiv, Ukraine to develop the strategy of NGO actions for
the beginning of the 21st century directed at the creation of
the civil society and democracy institutions in Ukraine and the
world,
*Recalling, that the Conference took place on the eve of the
new millennium and the year 2000 declared by the General
Assembly of the United Nations as the International Year for
the Culture of Peace,
*Recalling the Preamble of the UNESCO Charter, that "the ideas
of war are created in people's minds, that is why the idea of
peace protection should be rooted in human consciousness," and
also that "peace should be based on the intellectual and moral
solidarity of humanity",
*Considering the formation of public opinion directed at
development of social initiatives and uniting efforts of the
citizens of the world for creation and strengthening of
democracy in the whole world and in each country taken
separately are vitally important,
*Recognizing that Democracy is Peacemaking, and not violence,
Humanism and not barbarism and tyranny, Freedom and not
slavery, Development and not destruction, Keeping of Human
Rights and Social Protection all together and for everyone,
Space that develops intellect, culture and internal space of a
human being
As a result of the Conference we have adopted the following
Declaration:
Taking into consideration all the above-mentioned, we appeal to
the nations and people of good will to feel that it is possible
to build democracy only if everyone takes part in this process,
demonstrating personal initiative and creative abilities,
creating peace in one's soul, family, city, country, in our
common house Earth, recalling that self respect is impossible
without respect of other people's opinion; that each of us is
worthy of democracy as the highest level of society development
if everyone contributes and takes part in it;
We appeal to NGOs as exponents of democratic ideas to become
the vanguard of society in any country, to create common
principles of peace and cooperation, to establish partnership
relations among the non-governmental sector and such interaction
between the governmental and non-governmental sectors that
would stimulate the democratic institutions' development and
establish democratic principles of these relations;
We appeal to the governmental sector of Ukraine to acknowledge
the importance and value of the non-governmental sector, to
give up post-soviet totalitarian mentality and to establish
equal responsible relations with the non-governmental sector
directed at the strengthening and developing a democratic human
rights state and civil society;
We appeal to all representatives of mass media to acknowledge
the responsibility; that they influence people's minds and
souls, their consciousness and culture, and are responsible for
information and establishment of a moral and harmonious civil
society.
To achieve the above-mentioned goals the International
Conference "Strengthening of Connections between NGO's for
Increased Influence on the Democratization Process in Ukraine"
has adopted the Action Plan for globalization of the civil
movement which we regard as our contribution: to the formation
of peacemaking public consciousness, establishment of
harmonious relations inside the non-governmental sector and
then between all sectors: non-governmental, governmental and
private, strengthening of the humanism and democracy principles,
building of civil society in Ukraine and in the whole world.
Action Program
Objectives:
To promote the unification of NGO's efforts directed at
strengthening democracy in Ukraine and the world and
integration of Ukrainian public movement into the world
community.
1. Implementation of the Action Program
1.1 To form a Coordination Council whose actions are directed
at developing strategy programs that unite NGO's;
1.2 To create and register the International Alliance
"MIROSLAVA" that will function as a information resource center
and act as a peacemaking bridge between Ukraine and the world
community;
1.3 To conduct peacemaking actions for international cooperation.
2. The focus of actions
2.1 To share the experience of professional NGOs through
partnership, delegations exchange, holding common programs for
reaching understanding, overcoming psychological barriers and
building up trusting relations.
2.2 To integrate Ukrainian NGOs into the world informational system.
2.3 To encourage a harmonious relation among the three sectors
with the purpose of creating and developing civil society
institutions.
2.4 To master NGO's professional management by establishing
address connections and creation of mechanisms with the help of
which NGOs can influence the all sectors.
3 The Action Program
The following suggestions were reached as a result of the
Conference:
3.1 To appeal to the Verhovna Rada of Ukraine, state and local
authorities to join Kharkiv Declaration, to legislatively
support it and protect the opportunities of effective NGO
development.
3.2 To appeal to the representatives of the 3rd sector to
establish open partnership relations among NGOs, work out and
approve ethic codes of these relations, and embark on
preparation and goals of common programs.
3.3 To appeal to all the Embassies, Consulates, Funds and other
world community structures, oriented to encouraging the
democratization process in Ukraine and the world to take into
account specific situations of the 3rd sector in Ukraine and to
change the attitude towards creating favourable conditions for
its implementation and development.
3.4. To appeal to the General Federation of Women's Clubs as a
vanguard of public club movement to develop and work together
with NGO "MIROSLAVA" a program directed at furthering club
movements in Ukraine.
The 12 NGOs that took part in the Conference have analyzed the
current situation in Ukraine and decided upon a program
"Independent Information Resource Centre" that will become the
base for a wide support of NGOs and establishment of dialogue
among the sectors.
For further information, contact: Tetyana Glory,
President, Kharkiv Women's Club "MIROSLAVA",
Ukraine
E-mail: MIRSLAVA
