Democratic Voices of Ukrainian Youth

«Democracy represents a combination of freedom, collective decisions, and a common goal». «The significance of human rights cannot be overstated; they must become essential for everyone». «To empower citizens, it is crucial to provide them with more opportunities to pursue their goals». These quotes may seem like the musings of Parisian middle-aged residents or office workers in Warsaw. However, in reality, they were expressed by 18-year-old residents of Shostka, a town in northeastern Ukraine, during the inaugural IYTT workshop for high school students. This workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Shostka Youth Center “SHUM.”

The participants, a group of twelve teenagers aged 16 to 20, were students at the local gymnasium and vocational school, all sharing an interest in politics. Their fascination with politics is no surprise, considering their firsthand experiences in a tumultuous environment. Despite their youth, they have already witnessed two revolutions—the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013-2014—authoritarian backsliding during Yanukovych’s term, democratization and liberalization since 2014, the occupation of Crimea, the hybrid war in the Donbass region, and the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Many of them have been refugees in Europe, with fathers serving in the war. Rocket arrivals and air-raid alerts have become a regular part of their lives. Corruption, a prevalent issue in their locality, is also a daily observation. In contrast, their Russian peers have only experienced the rule of one president, Vladimir Putin, who transformed a potentially democratic system into a dictatorial “empire.” This stark contrast has led the workshop participants to recognize the importance of safeguarding democracy and freedom.

During the workshop, our aim was to equip this new generation of citizens, future members of the European Union, with a precise understanding of democracy and the means to defend it in their local community and throughout the country. To achieve this, they first needed to reflect on the current state of democracy and freedom in their society. Furthermore, they had to learn the art of listening to their fellow citizens, enhancing their capabilities for collective action and instigating change. For these reasons, the Open Chair Democracy Talks (OCDT) questions became the framework for deeper reflections and discussions on the nature of democracy and its potential improvements.

The teenagers were divided into pairs, with each pair asking an OCDT question to one another. They then recorded their interlocutor’s opinions. Next, I collected all the sheets, mixed them, and redistributed them randomly. The participants were then asked to analyze the differences between the responses they received and their own opinions and expectations. They were astonished by the similarities in their definitions of democracy and the variations in how they assessed their personal freedom and political power. Interestingly, their proposed methods for empowering people shared commonalities, such as advocating for new fair elections for the town mayor (who has been in power for 20 years, exhibiting high levels of corruption and lack of accountability), fighting against corruption, and promoting a shift away from Soviet thinking by disseminating new pro-European and pro-democracy ideologies. We further explored the general patterns of these answers, assessing their advantages or disadvantages for democratization and EU integration. We discussed potential changes to make them more beneficial and emphasized the importance of political participation. Finally, we compared the OCDT in Shostka with those in Moscow, assessing the prospects for democratization. Throughout our discussions, I was bombarded with questions about power, liberalism, and the history of democracy and autocracy in Ukraine and Russia. We dedicated ample time to finding a way to establish a consolidated democracy in Ukraine and fostering democratic values in Russia. Their thought-provoking questions challenged our fundamental assumption that citizens must possess power and questioned the limitations on its exercise.

These conversations allowed us to step outside the bubble where we perceive democracy as the sole ideal for everyone, prompting us to search for explanations and reaffirm democracy as the best political regime in the face of widespread populism and the rise of autocracies. Such discussions enable us to rediscover solid ground for democracy and democratization, as well as understand how to effectively convince people to defend democracy. Introducing these discussions at the high school level is a crucial step towards fostering responsible citizens who comprehend the need to protect democracy and take action accordingly. Notably, these discussions, which prioritize action over theory, prove enjoyable for teenagers:

“The meeting was incredible; thank you for enabling us to compare the level of awareness not only among those present but also among different countries. I also learned new information, such as the European Solidarity Corps and the International Youth Think Tank.” – Alina

“I appreciated how the speaker shared her life story right from the start. The same can be said about the OCDT. An interesting speaker, engaging content, and, most importantly, vital information about democracy, all presented in a dialogue format. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will remember it for a long time.” – Elizaveta

“We must not underestimate the importance of discussing democratic values, such as freedom, equality, human rights, citizen participation in government processes, and the rule of law. These discussions help cultivate a tolerant and mutually respectful national consciousness, fostering the coexistence of different cultures and nationalities. It’s worth noting that the workshop was open and accessible to all, which, even in turbulent times, can help prevent radicalization, xenophobia, and chauvinism. Such events contribute to a more comprehensive fulfillment of the national consciousness, nurturing a harmonious and multicultural society with the primary goal of developing and strengthening the liberal democratic system.” – Ihor