We were happy to arrange a networking event for partners in the field of reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. During the event, we had the opportunity to discuss topical reintegration issues in an informal atmosphere.
📍The event featured a panel discussion “Topical Issues of Reintegration”, moderated by Maksym Yakovlyev, Director of the School for Policy Analysis NaUKMA, and with the participation of:
🔹Diana Tryma, Director of the Department for the Restoration and Cultural Reintegration of De-occupied Territories at the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine;
🔹Anna Osypchuk, Director for Research of the School for Policy Analysis NaUKMA;
🔹Alyona Lunova, Advocacy Manager at the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.
Highlights from the panel discussion:
📌It is essential to continue to emphasise that the territories that are currently under occupation are Ukrainian territories.
📌It is necessary to promote the study of the local history of the occupied regions because Russia has invested a lot into obscuring and burying it. For example, the history and culture of the Pryazovia Greeks are being virtually destroyed, and we need to emphasise this and similar cases.
📌Giving people on the occupied territories clear and transparent rules for returning to Ukraine’s cultural, informational, and legal fields is critically important.
📌It is crucial for Ukraine not to create injustice where the authorities are able to avoid it. For example, prosecuting electricians who restored the power grid or rescuers for collaboration raises many questions.
📌An essential condition for reintegration and de-occupation is social cohesion and unity within Ukrainian society.
📌Our main task is not to lose hope and to keep the idea of de-occupation and a common future alive.
