Berlin (ots) – 84% of the participants see their future in their own country and a large majority is clearly in favor of Ukraine joining the EU, the online consultation shows “Ukraine’s Future Voices”. From December 13, 2022 to February 7, 2023, young Ukrainians between the ages of 13 and 30, inside and outside of Ukraine, were invited to take part in the online consultation and to deal with the question of what is being done in Ukraine now must in order to support the reconstruction.
Almost 20,000 young Ukrainians took part with 678 suggestions and more than 275,000 votes. The evaluation of the consultation shows that a total of 18 ideas from 7 different subject areas were felt to be particularly important for the participants: These included demands for a modernization of the education system, both in schools and in colleges and universities; an improvement in the health system, especially in the area of mental health; and an intensification of the fight once morest corruption within the country. These perspectives, desires and needs should guide the actions of international actors who want to support Ukraine now and in the future. When dealing with the medium and long-term consequences of the war, the young generation must not lose sight of it – they will assume responsibility in a democratic and future-oriented post-war society.
In addition to the detailed presentation of the consultation results, which are available in several languages, various contributions by international experts are part of the publication and provide insights into different areas in connection with the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine: e.g Oxana Matiychuk, Annegret Wulff (MitOst eV), Kateryna Pavlova (CRISP e.V.), Philip Berg (DSEE), Cora Bieß (Berghof Foundation) und Oleksandr Podobryi (ARCA). Photos from Sebastian Wells (East Cross) and Vsevolod Kazarin complete the 144-page publication.
Patrick Hoemke (Managing Director of Schüler Helfen Leben):
“In our projects for young people affected by the Ukraine war, it is of utmost importance for us to address their real needs and to provide long-term support and prospects for a peaceful, just and democratic future society. Thanks to the results of our wide-ranging consultation among young As Ukrainians, we can further develop our projects and take even better account of future goals, needs and wishes. We invite all actors active in Ukraine to also consider these perspectives.”
Sarah Delahaye (CEO of Make.org):
“This participatory approach among young Ukrainians living in Ukraine and the EU was necessary. The war has greatly affected their lives and perspectives. Therefore, it was fundamental to look to the future, to consider their expectations and to respond to this. This online consultation enabled young Ukrainian citizens to engage in reflections on rebuilding their own future and the future of Ukraine. Their priorities provide civil society and institutions with a basis for concrete actions.”
Here can the publication “Ukraine’s Future Voices” will download. Video footage of participants in the consultation presenting and explaining their proposals can also be found there.
About Students Helping Life
Schüler Helfen Leben is Germany’s largest youth-led aid organization. She looks back on decades of experience in working in (post-)conflict regions, operates sustainable project funding and ensures that the donations are used appropriately and effectively. Once a year, Schüler Helfen Leben organizes a social day across Germany, on which 60,000 schoolchildren exchange their school bench for a job and donate their wages for a day. In this way, young people enable youth and education projects in Southeast Europe, in the context of the Syrian conflict and the Ukraine war. Around 1.1 million euros are collected every year.
Find out more: www.schueler-helfen-leben.de
About Make.org
Make.org is a Europe-wide, neutral, transparent and independent civic tech organization that has set itself the task of massively involving citizens in participatory democratic processes in order to change society for the better. Make.org has developed a unique digital consultation platform that can reach millions of people. As enshrined in its ethics charter, Make.org is committed to respectfully protecting participants’ personal information. This ambitious goal is guaranteed by careful operation and checked several times a year by an independent ethics board.
Learn more at www.make.org
Questions & contact:
Michael Hilbert
Students help life
Axel-Springer-Strasse 40
10969 Berlin
Phone: +49 30 2250271-63
Fax: +49 30 2250271-89
michael.hilbert@schueler-helfen-leben.de
