The link between life satisfaction and democracy has been thoroughly explored by researchers. In particular, the 2023 World Happiness Report reveals that countries with high levels of life satisfaction are typically secure democracies, while those with lower levels often face a range of political and economic challenges.
In this edition of our newsletter, we invite you to delve deeper into the topic by exploring our infographic that highlights the impact of the war on the happiness of Ukrainians. Additionally, we bring you the latest updates from our civil society partners, along with a range of employment and grant opportunities that enable you to actively contribute to creating a fairer and more equitable world. Stay tuned!
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Are Ukrainians satisfied with their lives, facing the challenges of wartime? The 2023 World Happiness Report reveals that Ukraine is ranked 92nd out of 137 countries, scoring 5.071 points. Based on the Gallup World Poll`s data, the report reveals a sharp rise in the Ukrainians` approval rating of the national government, as well as a record level of donations and willingness to help strangers in 2022. At the same time, Russia`s invasion in 2022 led to an increase in worry among Ukrainians. For more information, refer to our infographics.
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Civil Society News
CSOs Urge European and Venice Commissions to Reject Draft Law Threatening Independence of Constitutional Court
On April 24, civil society organizations released a statement warning against draft law No. 9225, recently published on Verkhovna Rada’s website. Activists are concerned that the initiative strengthens political control over the selection of judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (CCU) and contradicts the recommendations of the Venice Commission and Ukrainian CSOs. They call on the European and the Venice Commissions not to approve draft law and any similar model that does not preserve the political dependence of the CCU.
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New Europe Center Analyzes Joe Biden`s Re-election`s Impact on Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has announced his intention to seek a second term in office, sparking discussions on the potential impact of his candidacy on the relationship between Ukraine and the USA, as well as Ukrainian resistance to Russia`s aggression. For a more informed perspective, we invite you to read the analysis by Alyona Hetmanchuk, director of the New Europe Center.
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Democratic Initiatives Foundation Urges South Africa to Pressure Russia to Withdraw Troops from Ukraine
In an op-ed in the Daily Maverick newspaper, Olexiy Haran, Research Director at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, urges South Africa, as a member and future president of BRICS, to pressure Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine. Haran also highlights Ukraine’s historical support of South Africa in the fight against apartheid. The article was published following Haran’s recent visit to South Africa as part of a Ukrainian delegation.
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Vox Ukraine Launches a Podcast about the Reconstruction of Ukraine
The podcast series delve into the multifaceted issue of the reconstruction of Ukraine, with the initial focus on its digitization efforts. The first two episodes feature Max Nefyodov, the leader of the NGO “Progress Technologies,” and Mstyslav Banik, the head of electronic services development at the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
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SavED Starts an Intensive Program to Promote Civic Education and Youth Leadership
To promote civic education and leadership skills among the youth, SavED launched an intensive program titled “Youth UActive.” The three-week course is designed to equip 192 teachers and 522 students of 8-11 grades from Chernihiv and Kyiv regions with a comprehensive understanding of civic education, enhance leadership, and foster their initiative creation skills.
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Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation Announces Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the UN 2023-2024 Program
On April 20, Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation (BHFF) launched the “Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the UN 2023-2024” program. The program is designed to engage youth in international policymaking, promote responsibility, and foster a dialogue between the Ukrainian government and youth. The application deadline is May 10.
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Opportunities
Explore Our Opportunities!
We are excited to offer a variety of opportunities for job seekers, civil society actors, and service providers:
- Qualified specialists interested in our job openings are encouraged to review the listings – https://bit.ly/3UKgGN7
- We have extended the request for applications for civil society initiatives to provide even greater institutional and project support – https://bit.ly/3GUdk4e
- Finally, we are pleased to announce new Request for Proposals for service providers –https://bit.ly/
3Vnd0kN
Visit our website for additional information and to stay up-to-date on future opportunities and news.
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Grant Competition for Anti-Corruption Initiatives
The Suppоrt to Anti-Corruption Champion Institutions (SACCI) Program announces a grant competition for anti-corruption civil society and media initiatives. The goal is to support projects that increase public support of and involvement in anti-corruption activities, as well as increase the transparency and accountability of the work of the government during wartime, transitional and post-war periods. Applications are accepted until June 30, 2023.
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What We Read
John Keane: How Democracies Die, Fast and Slow
Sudden death stories of democracy do us a disservice. The truth is that democracy can be destroyed in multiple ways, at different tempos. These different rhythms need to be identified and understood to equip friends of democracy with an early warning detector, to help them anticipate and deal with its degradation and to work for its defense and renewal. Read the article by John Keane, Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney, to learn more.
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