CPP Conference Celebrates Accomplishments and Looks to the Future
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s Community Partnerships Project (CPP) celebrated its accomplishments and looked to the future of the project and of Ukraine at its recent U.S. conference. Approximately 50 people, including U.S. partnership city coordinators and trainers, attended the conference, which was highlighted by the presence of two Ukrainian mayors, Slavutych Mayor Volodymyr Udovychenko and Komsomolsk Mayor Oleksandr Popov. U.S.-Ukraine Foundation President Nadia McConnell opened the conference, welcoming the mayors, the coordinators and trainers, and CPP staff and advisors, including CPP Kyiv Project Director Marta Kolomayets, who traveled from Ukraine.
In discussing the future of CPP, McConnell said, “We truly believe that the next five years in Ukraine are still a big question mark in terms of what happens in consolidating democracy, and it is our belief that the work at the local level is a major linchpin to securing democracy and all that we have already achieved has demonstrated that. Anatoliy Matviyenko, who was head of the commission on local government in Parliament, told us that part of the success of the Orange Revolution was what happened in the individual cities. He said that the turning point came when individual cities, because of the support of the local population, began to take a stand.”
While no longer directly involved in the program, Mayors Popov and Udovychenko participated in the conference on behalf of those cities that are still working with CPP. They underscored the need for the continuation of CPP as critical for consolidation of democracy at the local level. Mayor Popov, whose city has participated in numerous USAID programs, cited CPP as the most effective, an opinion seconded by Mayor Udovychenko.
U.S. Agency for International Development
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At the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation conference in September, Drew Luten, USAID Acting Assistant Administrator for Europe & Eurasia credited the Foundation’s Community Partnerships Project with developing a model for inter-city and interregional collaboration among Ukrainian mayors and local government representatives that has sparked a new way of thinking among citizens and officials.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation |
Drew Luten, Acting Assistant Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), addressed the conference on the first day, discussing current conditions in Europe and Eurasia, the work of USAID in the area, and the status of its work in Ukraine. [ Read his speech ] He commended Ukraine for the changes brought about by the Orange Revolution and acknowledged that there are still issues within the country. He recognized the work of non-governmental organizations like the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.
“The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, through its partnerships and other activities, has had an important role in communicating these [democratic] values and will have an important role in doing that in the future,” he said. “The Foundation’s interactions and relationships have helped convey how things can be organized in terms of local government and how local government relates to the rest of society and helps convey what people should expect from their government.”
Bob Wallin, Acting Director, Office of Eurasia Affairs of Europe and Eurasia, and Chief of Administrative and Information Services, Bureau of Europe and Eurasia at USAID, closed the USAID session and took questions from the audience. Alexandra Braginski, Team Leader at the Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus Desk at the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia was also part of the session.
Capitol Hill
The CPP group traveled to Capitol Hill on the second day of the conference for a Congressional Breakfast. CPP Washington Project Director Vera Andrushkiw introduced the speakers and guests. Representative Marci Kaptur (D-OH) welcomed the group. She is co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, advocating for close U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
She emphasized the importance of local government to democracy, “Democracy doesn’t just rest at the national level. We all know that democracies that survive…have very deep roots and democracy is shared at the local level. That’s where its strength really is, those institutions, both governmental and nongovernmental, that take responsibility, that hold us together as free people…”
Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX) also talked about his connection to Ukraine and his delight with CPP and the work it is doing. Guests included Orest Deychakiwsky, Senior Staff Advisor, U.S. Helsinki Commission; Volodymyr Samofalov, First Secretary, Culture, Information, and Press Office, the Embassy of Ukraine; Ned Michalek, Chief of Staff for Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA); and Jessica Roach, Legislative Assistant for Kaptur. Voice of America was also at the breakfast, filming the session for the “Window on America” program.
U.S. State Department Deputy Coordinator in the Office of the Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, Dan Rosenblum, was the keynote speaker for the breakfast. He gave an analysis of the state of Ukraine and its progress toward democracy, describing the role the State Department and others have played in supporting the will of the Ukrainian people.
“Even more important than the short-term initiatives in the run-up to the election was the sustained effort that was made over 10 to 15 years to give training, provide grants, and expose people to new ideas through training programs, exchange programs,” Rosenblum noted. “That’s what made an important contribution to creating the vibrant civil society that was really the key ingredient in the Orange Revolution. The Community Partnerships Project was part of that process, part of that long-term effect…I know that some of the local leaders who were part of your program were among those who spoke out and that speaks volumes about the effects of the program…
“I’ve always believed that the value of the program goes beyond what can be measured month to month or year to year. I believe that partnership programs like this one can help build lasting relationships and they can involve profound transfers of knowledge and experience in a way that you can’t get by having a few trainers go in for a few weeks and do a training course. By seeing how Americans work through their problems locally…how we approach that on a day-to-day basis teaches a lot more than a classroom could ever do. I’ve come to believe that programs like this…should remain part of what we do across the region.”
In addition to hearing from U.S. government representatives and legislators, the conference group also spent time in panel discussions, hearing from each other about initiatives, training, and other activities. Andrushkiw and Kolomayets briefed the group on CPP activities and accomplishments. The mayors described the progress their cities have made as a result of their participation in CPP, detailing the infrastructure they have created through their work with CPP. At the conclusion of the conference, the group gathered to discuss CPP’s future and to consider next steps.
Sherri Alms, Community Partnerships Manager at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, contributed this story.
Speech by Drew Luten
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia
U.S Agency for International Development
to
The U.S.-Ukraine Forum entitled “Local Government Consolidating Democracy in Ukraine – the Next Five Years”
September 20, 2005
The Wilson Center, Washington D.C.
It is a pleasure to be here. Thank you, Nadia McConnell. Also, thanks for having this session here at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
We at USAID appreciate the Foundation’s commitment to Ukraine and the major contributions you have made over the years to supporting Ukraine’s democratic development. Together we have been able to accomplish a lot for the democratization of Ukraine – a country that we hope is ready to capitalize on last year’s democratic breakthrough; a country that is very important for U.S. foreign policy interests in Europe and Eurasia (E&E).
This conference is highlighting the many accomplishments and impact of the Foundation’s Community Partnerships and Education Project (CPP), which began in 1997 and which USAID has been pleased to support over the years.
As we look to the future, the relationships between U.S. and Ukrainian cities will become ever more important in order to sustain and build upon the reforms we have helped to bring about. USAID welcomes your ideas on how we can all learn from each other to assure the sustainability of reforms long after USAID assistance ends.
Today, I thought I would offer comments in 3 areas: 1) provide you with some background on USAID’s overall engagement in the region, noting some of the progress that has been achieved so far; 2) then I’d like to review some of the primary obstacles to continued progress that remain and that USAID and our partners are addressing, and 3) I will offer some comments on specifically on Ukraine.
Background and Progress
When Congress passed the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 and the Freedom for Russia and the Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets (FREEDOM) Support Act (FSA) of 1992, USAID faced a very challenging task: in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. Government entities, assisting the economic, political, and social transition of the former communist countries to market-based democratic systems.
It has always been our assumption that this assistance would last only as long as necessary to ensure that the transition to market-based democracies was solidly on track and not likely to be reversed. Indeed, 7 of the 27 formerly communist countries have “graduated” from being major recipients of U.S. foreign assistance (8 when you count the splitting up of Czechoslovakia). In addition, we are scheduled to phase out U.S. bilateral assistance to three additional countries – Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania -- during 2008 and 2009. The performance of all of these countries, in terms of economic reform and growth, in terms of democratization and in terms of human capital (health and education) indicators, has put them on a solid footing, including among other things, help them achieve EU membership or planned EU membership.
Going forward, our work will focus on Southeast Europe and Eurasia. In general, in nearly all of the countries of Europe and Eurasia, from the 8 from which we have graduated, to the 3 that we plan to phase out of, to the ones we continue to work in, we find them to be very different places than they were when we began our programs 16 years ago after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Whereas during the communist era, the state controlled nearly every aspect of economic activity, in nearly all countries free enterprise and entrepreneurship now flourish. Whereas individuals were once afraid to assert their needs and beliefs, in most countries, citizens are finding their voices through multi-party elections, the independent media and thousand of NGOs. Where power and decision-making were once almost exclusively concentrated in central governments, now municipal governments, businesses and NGOs are working together to resolve problems and improve the delivery of basic services in communities across the region. A lot has changed. But challenges remain.
Remaining Challenges
While some countries have moved quickly toward democracy and market-oriented economies, others have moved unevenly, and a few much too slowly. On the economic side, a number of problems persist, including high unemployment and underemployment rates, and sectors that cannot compete in global markets. On the democratic front, the region has a long way to go to provide for the many systems, institutions and checks and balances we take for granted in established democracies – including the consistent application of the rule of law, strong and independent media, and transparent and responsible governance at national and local levels. Especially in this latter area –strengthening local government- USUF has been a leader.
While we have pressed and will continue to press for broad-based democratic and economic reform, other problems have set in -- particularly the deterioration of social conditions, declining populations, the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, corruption, and the significant growth in human trafficking.
Experts on the spread of HIV/AIDS are warning of acute dangers in the near future because of the sharp rise of cases of HIV/AIDS in the region. Concerns are particularly focused on Russia and Ukraine, which have some of the highest HIV/AIDS rates of growth in the world. Although the disease is presently confined mainly to illicit drug use and prostitution, there is growing evidence that HIV/AIDS is moving into the general population.
Trafficking in persons is an explosive human rights abuse and a highly lucrative, illegal and dangerous global business. An estimated 175,000 persons are trafficked in and through the E&E region each year, representing perhaps as many as 25% of all persons trafficked around the world. Most of the countries in the region are source and transit countries and some are becoming destination countries.
While corruption is a problem in many parts of the world, Transparency International reports that corruption is perceived to be higher in Eurasia than any other region. USAID is redoubling its efforts to help countries address the issue of corruption across all sectors of its program. The cost of corruption is enormous. It deters private investment, debilitates the institutions intended to serve citizens’ needs, and undermines basic codes of conduct, trust, and cooperative behavior between individuals and groups. In Ukraine the open public debate of corruption charges gives hope that civil society and individuals are determined to hold government accountable.
Finally, there is a common issue that permeates most transition countries in the region. It is a frequent misunderstanding of what capitalism and democracy are and require. Too often, capitalism is understood to be individual greed. In fact, in the West, capitalism in its essence is a system of economic freedom within the context of the rule of law, which rewards initiative, hard work, and creativity. Furthermore, the evolution of free markets in the West has included the broad concept of societies providing a basic level of opportunity for its citizens, as well as a “social safety net” of protection for those individuals and their families who, through no fault of their own, have significant needs. Philanthropy is an important component of Western, free market society.
Democracy, also, is frequently misunderstood. Too often it is defined as “majority rule.” But, free and honest elections do not alone ensure democracy. Democracy must always be understood to consist of a whole series of elements: minority rights, religious freedom, separation and limitation of power, a vibrant civil society including an independent media, elections, rule of law, and a free economy. We must steadfastly affirm that the foundation for a full democracy, a free economy, and a healthy, compassionate society must be a bed-rock of values – values appealing to that within each human being which transcends narrow self interest. Values reinforced by the many elements of a democratic system; the elements that go well beyond the benchmark of attention-getting elections.
USUF, through its partnerships and other activities, has had an important role in communicating these values. Through the Foundation’s interactions and relationships it has helped convey how things can be organized and work and what people should expect. These are important contributions that we must continue to emphasize.
Ukraine
In Ukraine, our long standing assistance program enables USAID to adapt to changing circumstances, effectively target resources and achieve results. While we often think of the word “resources” to mean “money” the resources that USAID has accumulated and provides in Ukraine are far broader. Our assistance begins with a strategic approach, followed by a well thought out plan to implement that approach; and finally, a set of resources that include project activities, expertise and “people.” Knowledgeable people. Committed people. People are the most important resource of all; USUF understands very well. By this I mean far more than just the knowledge and hard work of our USAID staff in Kiev. Our “people resources” include implementing partner organizations like the Foundation who work on the front lines of assistance. Above all it means Ukrainian citizens and local leaders – mayors and officials, businesspersons and NGOS – who work together to tackle the issues that face their towns and regions.
Thanks to our collaboration with knowledgeable people and organizations, we have been able to move quickly and respond to the new opening for collaboration with the national government following the free and fair election of President Yushchenko. Our previous regionally-oriented, grassroots strategy is now complemented with increased support to the national government in order to augment the capability of government officials to more effectively carry out priority reforms and to engage the legislative branch and citizens in this process. We are committed to the government’s reform priorities including reforms in the judiciary, anti-corruption measures, the decentralization of government functions to the local level and local government reform.
As you are all well aware, the government’s recent approach to introduce administrative reform in just six months was not feasible, and it remains to be seen how implementation will proceed. To the extent that consensus emerges on future government plans for Administrative Reform and realistic timetables are proposed for implementation, we will be in a position to provided assistance.
Currently, our ongoing programs include the following areas of emphasis with regard to local governance:
- Train for municipal officials in economic development, budget and financial management and citizen participation methodologies
- Provide Technical Assistance to improve the assessment of municipal communal service enterprises and to develop strategic action plans for communal service improvement
- Strengthen the advocacy and communication capacity of the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC); and
- Assist Parliament with drafting of legislation to promote municipal fiscal and political autonomy
- Improve delivery of communal services, such as water, wastewater and heat, through the improvement of laws and regulations that govern communal services and the restructuring of communal service enterprises.
To help sustain democratic transition, USAID assigns highest priority to assuring, to the maximum extent possible, the irreversibility of the economic transition, cementing and accelerating progress in democracy and governance. We also seek to help Ukraine control the spread of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. We are also actively support the Ukrainian government’s efforts to accede to the WTO. We are promoting anti-corruption programming which among other things could help the country qualify for assistance from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Broadly speaking, we seek to help the government in these areas and others to help them lay the groundwork for possible accession to the European Union, should that prove to be a possibility, and in any event to help Ukraine move towards more integrated and involved political and economic relationships with Europe and the rest of the world.
At the same time and in the light of shifting foreign policy priorities and declining USG resources for the E&E region, in Ukraine and other countries, creating public-private partnerships and diversifying sources of funding for development will be increasingly important. The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation has worked in a partnering mode through its many U.S.-Ukrainian municipal partnerships, improving economic development, budget, housing/communal services, transportation and citizen participation. It has also connected municipal governments and private companies to leverage US government resources. The ability of USUF, and other USAID implementing partners to identify non-governmental resources to leverage assistance, and to reach out to the US Ukrainian diaspora will be critical to sustain and build on the investments made to date.
The US-Ukraine Foundation (USUF), building on its previous successes, is in an excellent position to provide a bridge between the present and the future of grass-roots democracy in Ukraine. The Community Partnerships Project (CPP), which has been successful in developing an inter-city and interregional collaboration among mayors and representatives from the local governments, has been a model for making the theoretical concepts of democracy and citizens’ participation come to life and spark a new way of thinking in many citizens and local officials. CPP has had many successes of which we are all proud. Your efforts must continue to ensure that these gains are sustainable and to help nurture further improvements long after USAID support has ended.
In closing I’d like to share my personal optimism about the future of Ukraine based on my observations from a recent trip to Ukraine in June of this year. Although this was my first trip to Ukraine and I fully expected to find a far more advanced state of development than that which I have seen in other parts of the world, I was surprised by what I saw.
As I traveled through towns in both the East and the West, I was struck first and foremost by the caliber and dedication of numerous officials and regular citizens who dedicate their lives to promote the well being of their country, their towns and their fellow citizens. From local hospitals pursuing improvement to maternal and new born health and more effective and cost efficient approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of TB, to land titling, to business registration simplification, to Mayors discussing local government reform, to the issuance of municipal bonds, to a local charity—the energy and dedication in municipalities across the country was palpable.
This together with the natural richness of the land leaves little doubt that the future will be brighter, although the political turbulence of the hour, which is not surprising in nascent and even more established democracies, will certainly need to be worked through. The current public outcry and discourse against corruption were unthinkable just one year ago. Fundamental change has taken place and with your continuing commitment it is bound to take root and place Ukraine on a steady path to democratic prosperity and full integration in the Euro-Atlantic community.
Thank you.
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