<I>The Day</I>’s New Year questionnaire

1. Rank the most important international events in 2008. Which of them do you think are of special importance for Ukrainian society?

2. What Ukrainian events caused a stir abroad, particularly in your country? What changes do you think occurred in Ukraine and Ukrainians?

3. What subjects, publications and contributors to The Day do you remember the most?

4. What would you wish Uk­rai­nians in 2009?

1. I think one should not only list events, but also processes. With this in mind I think the most important thing is the increasing discussion on questions on climate change and the impact of man on nature as a whole. Although many disasters might be dismissed as “natural” the increasing amount of them, which might at least partly be caused by man, should make people think. For countries therefore the post-Kyoto process is crucial, for individuals energy saving and ecological behaviour are vital.

The second thing I would like to mention is the renewal of widespread famine in Africa. It does not affect Ukraine directly, but I was very glad, when hearing on Human Rights Day on December 9 that Ukraine had contributed with significant amounts from the bumper harvest the country enjoyed. Especially in the year 2008, 75 years after the famine in Ukraine, it was an important example of taking responsibility for others.

When listing things, one has also to mention what happened in Geor­gia in August. With this in mind, for Europe and for Ukraine it is of great importance that such organizations and institutions as the UN and also the OSCE exist. Multilateral in­stitutions and succesful, although at times tedious, diplomacy are needed to solve problems peacefully. In this respect I, as the ambassador of Fin­land, might be forgiven for mentioning as a very important event the recent awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Martti Ahtisaari. It was a recognition of the importance of diplomacy as well as of personal dedication. I think there is a broader lesson to be learnt there.

2. Of the positive things one could mention the WTO membership, which was noted. It is very good that Ukraine is integrating into the world order, uses the agreed mechanisms and rules like almost all other states in the world.

Of the more negative ones one has to mention the financial crisis, which has hit the world and also Ukraine, with force. The international community stepped in to help through IMF and other financial institutions. How Ukraine manages the crisis has, I think, also a lot to do with how the country manages to unite in order to fight the crisis. In this regard political stability and the democratic functioning of all state institutions is of paramount importance.

My country, Finland, went through a very difficult economic crisis in the first half of the 1990s. Many people and enterprises suffered a lot and government had to take tough measures. Now Finland is in a very good shape to meet the new crisis. There are two important lessons in this: consensus and a sense of togetherness, but at the same time determined leadership, are needed.

3. I read your paper every day, mainly to follow the events of The Day and enjoy it very much. I very much appreciate the emphasis on articles about historical events. In order to know where you are going, you should know your past.

4. First of all I would like to wish the Uk­rainians the traditional things, like happiness and health. Also I want to wish them strength in facing possibly difficult times. Through personal efforts but also through joint action life will be better in 2009. In this regard I finally wish all people to have people to care for and who care for them.