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3. How did your vision about the role of the CUPP program in the building of a civil society in Ukraine change during the time of CUPP's existence?
In the first few years of the CUPP program, I was of the opinion that CUPP graduates, upon their return to Ukraine, would begin to influence their immediate environment, their family circle, their university community. I thought of the ripple effect one observes in a pond or lake when one drops a stone into the water. Through a similar ripple affect, I was of the opinion that CUPP students would begin to influence their environment with some of the more positive aspects of a western society and its government.
In the past 6 years I have asked CUPP graduates, at end of the program, to evaluate the program and to consider how long the program should continue to bring students to Canada. The overwhelming answer is that the end is not in sight and that CUPP should exist without a time limit.
But as well, while observing the participants of CUPP, I have observed the work or Ukraine's leaders in government, culture and society and it is evident that for every CUPP graduate who returns to Ukraine reinforced with a stronger sense of patriotism, appreciation for Ukrainian language and culture, there are non-democratic or soviet trained individuals, who resist change, especially if it comes from the younger generation and who are comfortable in the status quo in which Ukrainian linguistic and cultural identity is submerged. While Russia and Russians are undergoing a strong nationalistic renaissance, Ukraine and Ukraine's governing elite are standing by and at times rejoicing in the waves of Russification of Ukraine, without realizing that they are contributing to the submergence of Ukraine and denying to the younger generations the possibilities of development in a free and democratic Ukraine. While I am pessimistic about the road chosen by the current generation in political power, I am much more optimistic about the road the younger generations will choose, especially after they have participated in an internship or educational program abroad.
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Olexi
Ukrainian student, journalist and a planetary citizen. I invite you to take a look at Central's Europe largest state- Ukraine through Olexi-tinted spectacles. Somewhat approaching unbiased subjectivity :)
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