Celebrating International Youth Day: Q&A with Youth Leaders
Discussing relevant topics with a few of Ukraine’s young leaders has led to fascinating revelations and insightful thought processes that are found in this article. These answers were provided from three different alumni of Integrity Leadership School, which is organized by America House Kyiv and USAID/Support to Anti-Corruption Champion Institutions (SACCI) Project. To develop a thorough understanding of today’s youth in Ukraine it is important to evaluate past experiences, present opportunities, and future possibilities, which make up the structural components of this article.
Recognizing the Past
Are there any examples in history that have helped you realize how meaningful young people taking action can truly be?
Arsen Martyshchuk: I am a big fan of American history, which is why my example will be borrowed from there. Here we must turn to the very beginning, 1776, when 13 colonies gained independence from the British Empire and began to proudly call themselves the United States of America.
Everyone remembers Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, the Adams Brothers, one of whom would later become the second president of the United States, and George Washington, the symbol of the American Revolution. All these undoubtedly prominent historical figures were already experienced enough to become who they became. However, would they be so successful without the youth? This question is more rhetorical because the answer is simple — no. John Trumbull, Aaron Burr, James Monroe, Deborah Sampson, Alexander Hamilton — all these young people, the oldest of whom was 21 and many others were the drivers of the American Revolution, the people who created the United States.
I would also like to mention the military, which, under the leadership of Washington, fought bravely for the idea and eventually won it. And most of them, by the way, were young people.
This historical example will always be a reminder to me that if you believe in something, you need to follow it through to the end.
How educated were you on issues such as corruption and developing transparent businesses in Ukraine, prior to attending The Integrity Leadership School?
Vika Kolomiiets: Honestly, I didn’t know much. Of course, I knew that we had this problem in Ukraine and it’s one of the biggest problems in our country, but I didn’t know how I could help and what I could do. We have special organizations that help fight against corruption, but even these can’t wholly solve the problem. So I decided that the process was really complicated and it would be better not to dive into it, but luckily the Integrity Leadership School has changed everything. I looked at this problem from a completely different perspective.
In what ways have you seen Ukraine evolve over the last couple decades?
Oksana Buziak: In my opinion, over the last few decades of independence, Ukraine has developed in many ways. Recent events indicate the emergence of civic consciousness in society. I observe a high level of development in my related field — the cultural industry. This is especially evident in Kyiv. Today we have many unique products that are known abroad and locally. Also during this period, many public organizations have emerged that promote development and a sense of belonging to Ukraine. In general, we have come a long way, but today we see changes that are leading us in a good direction. Tomorrow depends on us.
Gaining New Perspectives
Were you always a leader throughout your childhood and/or did you always want to become one?
Arsen Martyschuk: I would not say that I was a leader since childhood. The realization that I needed to take the lead came to me sometime during my first year of university (I'm now in the fourth). The realization that this can improve the quality of my life and the lives of people around me motivated me to look for opportunities for self-improvement in this area. That's when I came across the America House Youth Leadership Program (AHYLP), which radically changed my life.
It should be noted here that before entering the university and moving to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, I lived in the small village of Krasnyk, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Looking back, I realize that my worldview was completely different and leadership did not seem to be a priority. Everything changed after moving to the big city. The faster pace of life, new challenges, and changing directions of life inspired me to look for ways to improve myself.
It just so happened that we became graduates of AHYLP and another program from America House and USAID_ВзаємоДія, called Integrity Leadership School, from home due to the beginning of COVID-19.
At first it seemed that the online format would have a very bad effect on perception, but then it became clear that this is a chance to start applying the acquired knowledge in practice.
It was these findings that allowed me to take part in several local initiatives and initiate the creation of a cultural group (Hutsul carolers), which spread the traditions of my ethnocultural region.
Was there anything you learned or gained from this experience that surprised you or that you weren’t expecting?
Vika Kolomiiets: At the beginning of the program I imagined that it would be really interesting, but I didn’t expect that it would be so cool! We discussed different topics, worked on different problems, and talked with leaders from various parts of our world. It was amazing. I can say that this program has changed my life for the better. I discovered design thinking and project management. These things will change our world in the future. I started to worry more about societal problems and corruption. Together with some girls from the project we launched our own podcast about integrity. We try to convince people that integrity is not stressful. We talk about the importance of this problem and what everyone can do to help to solve it. Sometimes it’s challenging, but I love it. When the Integrity Leadership School program started, I couldn’t even imagine that I would create a podcast.
If you had to use one word or phrase to describe your leadership experience at America House, what would it be?
Oksana Buziak: Opportunities for development!
Looking to the Future
How do you think the skills and knowledge you’ve gained will help you connect to other people and places around the world?
Vika Kolomiiets: Honestly, I don’t know. It’s a very difficult question to answer. I can’t predict, but I believe that through my projects I can do it. For example, putting a lot of our knowledge and effort into the podcast. We are talking about the important things and if people are interested in it, it will be amazing. If they discuss it together, try to do something to change the situation, that is all we can ask for.
How do you see the new age of digital media impacting Ukraine in the future?
Oksana Buziak: In my opinion, social networks have the greatest influence today. Such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to the younger generation. In the future, this can develop both negative and positive scenarios such as easy exchange of information and self-realization through online platforms, as well as the negatively distorted perception of reality and the lack of live communication.
In general, we are now increasingly entering a digital reality, which also applies to art. This can be considered in an example of my last initiative and involvement of supporting the preservation of the Flowers of Ukraine building. First of all, what we observe around this event is unique. Thanks to social networks, the activists managed to create a community that began to defend and create a massive support effort for the building. The locals care about the architectural and cultural value that was neglected to build another commercial unit. Even in the ruins of the already damaged facade, cultural initiatives were created and people united. Among them was mine — the revival of ancient ivy, which gave aesthetic joy to the people of the city, but which was destroyed during the construction work. Thanks to the involvement of the Photinus studio, Carbon residence, and Ukrainian Modernism in this initiative, it was possible to realize it in the form of a mapping on the facade of the building. I think that in the future there will be even more such events that will help people find, implement and defend their interests.
Photos: Carbon
Where do you hope to see the future go in terms of organized youth projects and developing new ways to change the world?
Arsen Martyschuk: I have always said and will continue to say that education is the foundation of well-being. Our grandparents lived in a world where every third person could be illiterate. Everything has changed dramatically over the last 50 years, because now, 80% of the world's population is literate, and 1 in 5 young people receive higher education. These figures show that progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go.
I see very big changes in the field of educational programs over the last 5 years. It is such initiatives that make Ukraine a more successful state, because young professionals are the engine of change, and gradual change is unquestionable progress.
I hope that work in the field of education will become more structured and expand its borders.
As the interviewees mentioned, the potential of the future lies in our hands, and the youth of Ukraine holds the power to change the country and the world for the better. Staying true to who we are and what matters to us most will guide us to different opportunities to better ourselves and, in turn, better the world around us.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kalyna is an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University studying business marketing and psychology. On campus, she gives tours as a University Ambassador and is also involved in greek life. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, being in the sun, and spending time with her friends and family.