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First is the time-space factor. It is obvious that analogous reforms in the so-called old democra cies needed decades and even centuries to introduce and implement changes. Are the changes made in Ukraine, launched within such a short period of time, well-rooted? Secondly, reforms in Ukraine were initiated and are being translated into life from above, by the state. In the old democracies, they evolved from local initiatives that passed through the local level before they became national norms. What does this reverse order mean for Ukraine? Are these reforms alien to the people of Ukraine, imposed upon them? To these questions I would definitely say no. First of all, it was the choice of the Ukrainian people, in 1991, to build an independent democratic state based on the rule of law. Democracy and freedom are long-time traditions of the Ukrainian people. Many of the acting international norms and principles of pro tecting human rights regulated the life of the demo cratic state formation of the Kozak Zaporozhian Sich. They can easily be traced to the 17th century Ukrain ian Constitution which was doomed to oblivion under centuries-long foreign domination. Today we are witnessing the rebirth of free dom-loving traditions of the Ukrainian people which were so ruthlessly uprooted under a totalitarian regime. At the present stage of reforms in Ukraine, when fa vorable preconditions for the promotion of democracy are created by the state, it is of paramount importance to stimulate public awareness about human rights, to reinstill these values in the public conscience. The cir cle of actors involved in human rights work should be enlarged. The key formula of the newly adopted con stitution is a progression: individual - family - society - state. We need to learn how to better translate this formula into life. It is a determining factor of true de mocratization. What can a person do to protect his or her rights and to promote the rights of others. I'll give you some striking examples to illustrate this point. Several weeks ago, the Embassy of Ukraine in Bern received an invitation to take part in the third an nual Terry Fox Run organized by the Embassy of Can ada and the Swiss Cancer League to raise funds for cancer research. Who is Terry Fox? He was a young Canadian who, because of bone cancer, had his leg amputated. In 1980 he undertook to cross Canada to draw people's attention to the need for curing this dreadful disease. He hopped on one leg for 143 days at an average of 43 kilometers per day. Weakened, he died a few months later at the age of 23. But Terry Fox's courage and determination touched the imagina tion of many people. Today, they pursue his quest by holding Terry Fox runs in 52 countries. Indeed, people can do much — individuals, local communities, non-governmental organizations, mass media. This is just the right way to create a "civil society" sensitive to any slight deviation, any non- observance of the existing laws. And there is a grow ing understanding of this in Ukraine. Recently mushrooming NGOs are becoming more and more active in different domains of life, es pecially women's organizations. They contribute much to protecting the environment, creating jobs for women who make up the majority of Ukraine's officially un employed, improving health care and education, cam paigning against the trafficking of women, and by fighting against pornography and drug abuse. The role of non-governmental organizations in the promotion of human rights was one of the issues considered at the conference dedicated to the 50th An niversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was held in Yalta, Ukraine, in September 1998. Attended by delegations from 27 countries, the conference will undoubtedly contribute to the estab lishment and strengthening of links between networks of non-governmental organizations and will give a fresh message to all those who are concerned with the promotion of human rights. Thank you for your attention. Editor's note: Her Excellency Nina Kovalska is the first woman from Ukraine to serve her country as Ambassa dor. “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛИСТОПАД 1999 17
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