FREEDOM OF CHOICE — CHOICE OF FREEDOM
Over 30 youth organizations took part in the New Millennium Forum held last Saturday within the framework of the Freedom of Choice Volunteer Organizations Coalition of Ukraine.
Almost all the presidential candidates were invited to attend, but only Yevhen Marchuk appeared. Oleksandr Moroz faxed a letter of thanks, Hennady Udovenko was in Tokyo, and Nataliya Vitrenko refused without any comment. Ihor Biskizhov, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Youth for Well-being, and one of the Forum organizers said Mr. Marchuk is probably the only candidate genuinely concerned with youth problems, and that the rest of the candidates apparently did not take the invitation seriously.
The Freedom of Choice Coalition, including over 250 non- profit volunteer organizations from all regions of Ukraine, adheres to the principle of party non-affiliation and supports none of the presidential candidates. Its purpose is to assist with the holding of fair elections, helping every citizen realize the significance of his/her personal choice.
Addressing the Forum, Yevhen Marchuk stressed the importance of Freedom of Choice: “I am convinced that several years from now, provided there are progressive changes in this society, the third sector — I mean non-profit volunteer organizations — will be on a firm footing in Ukraine. These organizations will defend our civilian society against ruination.” Mr. Marchuk said the people's control over the regime is the greatest problem facing Ukraine. “The current regime's cynicism, cruelty, brazen bureaucratic arbitrariness go the limit,” he noted, adding that “the dictatorship of the law cannot be established with kid's gloves; it takes a firm hand.”
Mr. Marchuk further suggested that the younger generation must be primarily involved in solving youth problems, because young people are willing and are capable of acting independently. “Becoming united, our youth will be the basis for further consolidating Ukrainian society,” he said.
Over 30 youth organizations took part in the New Millennium Forum held last Saturday within the framework of the Freedom of Choice Volunteer Organizations Coalition of Ukraine.
Almost all the presidential candidates were invited to attend, but only Yevhen Marchuk appeared. Oleksandr Moroz faxed a letter of thanks, Hennady Udovenko was in Tokyo, and Nataliya Vitrenko refused without any comment. Ihor Biskizhov, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Youth for Well-being, and one of the Forum organizers said Mr. Marchuk is probably the only candidate genuinely concerned with youth problems, and that the rest of the candidates apparently did not take the invitation seriously.
The Freedom of Choice Coalition, including over 250 non- profit volunteer organizations from all regions of Ukraine, adheres to the principle of party non-affiliation and supports none of the presidential candidates. Its purpose is to assist with the holding of fair elections, helping every citizen realize the significance of his/her personal choice.
Addressing the Forum, Yevhen Marchuk stressed the importance of Freedom of Choice: “I am convinced that several years from now, provided there are progressive changes in this society, the third sector — I mean non-profit volunteer organizations — will be on a firm footing in Ukraine. These organizations will defend our civilian society against ruination.” Mr. Marchuk said the people's control over the regime is the greatest problem facing Ukraine. “The current regime's cynicism, cruelty, brazen bureaucratic arbitrariness go the limit,” he noted, adding that “the dictatorship of the law cannot be established with kid's gloves; it takes a firm hand.”
Mr. Marchuk further suggested that the younger generation must be primarily involved in solving youth problems, because young people are willing and are capable of acting independently. “Becoming united, our youth will be the basis for further consolidating Ukrainian society,” he said.
Newspaper output №:
№29, (1999)Section
Day After Day
