Ukraine plans for postwar future

OPINION:

With Ukraine well into the fourth year of war with Russia, challenges remain, yet there is talk of peace, and planning is underway to rebuild the country once the war ends. It is with this in mind that I founded the Unity Club.

The club draws on leading experts from various sectors to provide advice, conduct public discourse and offer possible road maps to the government and the private sector, stimulating discussion on the best ways to move Ukraine forward. Members are drawn from throughout the world, ensuring various views and expertise. We will evaluate the concerns and opinions of the Ukrainian public from all parts of the country to ensure the people have a voice in rebuilding.

For too long, Ukraine has been mired in a cycle of corruption, overregulation and politicians disconnected from the people. The result is a skeptical populace questioning whether many of Ukraine’s institutions and leadership are serving their needs. The Ukrainian people have expressed their hopes through political upheavals, including the Orange and Maidan revolutions, only for real change to fail.

The recent backlash against the government’s efforts to curtail the work of the anti-corruption bureaus highlighted this frustration. Demonstrations throughout the country led the government to introduce legislation to restore the independence of the bureaus, a positive step in recognizing the will of the people. However, for Ukraine to move into a better future, transparency and accountability must take root and the people’s faith and trust in leaders must be restored.

Planned Unity Club events include conferences, lectures, cultural displays and support for programs to assist Ukrainians, as well as partnerships with other groups. The club will focus on creating a strong, inviting business environment, continuing the fight against corruption, attracting investment, building civil society, developing independent media, helping the reintegration of veterans into society, strengthening Ukraine’s ties to the outside world (particularly as regards efforts to join the European Union) and working for more efficient, responsive government institutions. We believe these efforts will attract many refugees who fled the country, allowing them to bring their talents to building the new Ukraine.

Roman Popadiuk, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, will serve as president of the Unity Club. Mr. Popadiuk remains actively engaged in various initiatives supporting the country. He serves as chairman of the board of directors of Elevate Ukraine, a Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Joining Mr. Popadiuk in leading the club will be former California Gov. and U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson, former U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, and Michael Sawkiw, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. Experts in business, culture, medicine, technology, construction and more will provide the expertise in structuring programs to help Ukraine move forward.

Ukrainian businesses, like those in Western economies, must develop a greater sense of corporate citizenship by providing support to strengthen the social fabric of society. This involves supporting the arts and education, providing for the needy and becoming partners in local communities. This is crucial for creating an attractive business environment that fosters the country’s growth, and the Unity Club is making a special effort to collaborate with foreign and domestic companies to establish a tradition of corporate citizenship.

A significant challenge lies ahead: Reintegrating veterans into society. On the medical front, there is a great need for prosthetic care and dealing with mental disabilities, especially issues of post-traumatic stress disorder. Many groups, domestic and foreign, are involved in providing prostheses and psychological support. Social and financial reintegration involves providing meaningful employment, helping veterans obtain the requisite skills for jobs and creating social support networks. Failure to properly address these issues could lead to political and social unrest and isolate a large segment of society, depriving the country of veterans’ talents.

The Ukrainian government, particularly through the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, has taken a number of steps to address these challenges. Still, implementation of programs has been slow, and success has been limited. It is important to get the private sector involved, particularly in employment. The Unity Club will work with private and public firms to provide the employment opportunities, necessary skills training and family counseling to ensure that veterans do not fall prey to alcoholism or drug addiction.

The Unity Club will soon unveil its detailed plan for veterans and the partner companies that will participate in this effort.

Throughout the centuries, Ukrainians have been united in their love of freedom, national identity and the quest for independence. We have also been strong and resilient in the face of various challenges, and it is this strength and resilience that we will lean on to help Ukraine move into a brighter future.

• Pavlo Chumak is the owner of Sunpro, a leading Ukrainian sunflower seed oil producer. In addition to his business interests, he is involved in various philanthropic endeavors.