Today, on 5 December, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oleh Nemchinov opened the 12th Civil Society Development Forum entitled “May the force be with us” with a welcoming speech.

The event will also be attended by Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Bridget Brink, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, representatives of the public sector, local communities, local authorities, international and donor projects and NGOs.

“The Government’s task is to promote the activities of civil society institutions. The National Strategy for Promoting Civil Society Development in Ukraine, approved by the President of Ukraine, and the Government Action Plan for its implementation are aimed at this. Together with the public sector, the executive authorities should ensure the achievement of priorities in the development of public participation in Ukraine, create conditions for greater capacity of civil society institutions and their participation in socio-economic life, as well as the development of intersectoral cooperation,” said Oleh Nemchinov, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

During the Forum, the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine organised a meeting entitled “National Strategy for Promoting the Development of Civil Society in Ukraine: Current Issues of Implementation”.

“I would like to acknowledge the contribution of civil society experts who help ministries and other government agencies in finding effective ways to restore the country, develop the socio-economic, educational, cultural and other spheres. And also, very importantly, together with government agencies, they advocate at the international level for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, support in the fight against the russian aggressor, and proper condemnation of the genocidal crimes committed by russia against the Ukrainian people,” said Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

The 12th Civil Society Development Forum is being held in Kyiv under the slogan “May the force be with us”. The organisers have chosen the theme of Lesya Ukrainka’s parable as the Forum’s “headline” and invited everyone to think together about what gives Ukrainians strength. Strength to fight, not to abandon hope, not to despair, not to give up. To continue to be inventive, enterprising, to unite – the strength to be Ukrainians. This is what gives civil society the strength to tirelessly drive reforms and dig up rubble after missile attacks, advocate for European integration and provide humanitarian aid, negotiate for F16 and support IDPs.

The event includes seven locations and more than 150 speakers. In addition, there will be a workshop, donor consultations and the main location for discussions. At the end of the Forum, a volunteer award ceremony will be held to recognise the most active volunteers.