ECMI Issue Brief #38 on “Ukraine: Four Pathways to Sustainable Ethno-Cultural Governance” is now online. The Issue Brief is authored by Prof. Dr. Tove Malloy.

Ethno-cultural diversity of Ukraine, its governance, relevant reforms, and challenges: these are main focus areas of the ECMI Issue Brief #38. What are the current prospects for Ukraine in developing a comprehensive and sustainable model of ethno-cultural governance?  In the Issue Brief Prof. Malloy discusses four pathways towards sustainable ethno-cultural governance and Stable Interethnic Relations in Ukraine:

1. safeguarding national minority rights and protection through a thorough review and consolidation of relevant legislative instruments,
2. securing equitable national minority representation in territorial and administrative management,
3. building institutions and enhancing the capacities for good ethno-cultural governance at all levels of government,
4. enhancing ethnocultural dialogue as a cross-cutting issue that supports all priorities.

Abstract

Reform is a word that is used frequently with respect to the democratic transformation of Ukraine following the change of regime after the manifestations and demonstrations in the Maidan square around the change of the year 2013/14. Unfortunately, very few analysts consider ethno-cultural governance and national minority protection important aspects of the reform efforts. Establishing permanent and functioning inter-ethnic structures receives little attention, except in the small circle of human rights defenders. Although a breakout of inter-ethnic tensions is on everybody’s mind, establishing lasting legal and political institutions for stable and peaceful inter-ethnic relations remains absent from most of the international debate on the future of Ukraine. Indeed, it has been argued that reforms with high relevance for the country’s future, such as territorial and administrative reforms have been largely ‘ethnically neutral.’ This Issue Brief discusses four pathways towards sustainable ethno-cultural governance and stable interethnic relations in Ukraine and proposes institutionalized and open dialogue as well as awareness campaigns as a cross-cutting tool to avert tension.

Download the ECMI Issue Brief #38

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Source: ECMI InfoChannel @ European Centre for Minority Issues.