Round table discussion on the topic: “At a crossroads: What’s next for Ukrainian migration?”

On June 11, 2009 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Ukrainian House on 2 Khreschatyk St. in Kyiv, a round table discussion on the topic: “At a crossroads: What’s next for Ukrainian migration" took place. According to Mr. Hryhoriy Seleschuk, Head of the Commission of the UGCC in matters of migration, the results of year long research on the current status of Ukrainian labor migration, its related problems as well as challenges and the possibilities for assistance by the UGCC and “Caritas” was presented. The research was conducted in seven countries of the European Union as well as Russia. National deputies, government representatives, delegates from Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian organizations which work in the field of migration as well as researchers participated in the discussion.  One of the first observations made was that it was one of the most researched presentations on the topic of Ukrainian labor migration. At the round table, participants discussed how to bring together two dominant approaches in forming a coherent migratory policy. In the opinion of Mr. Hryhoriy, "The first approach is based on human rights, the honor and dignity of humanity, while the second looks at financial expedience. These two approaches can be united through the goal of development. Development, however, has two constituents. The first is a development of human capital, skills, abilities, and understanding. It is based on the human rights approach. The second encompasses finances which is a purely economic constituent.” On the position of Ukraine in these matters, Mr. Hryhoriy remarked that, “unfortunately the formation of a migration policy for Ukraine has 3 defects. Firstly, it has an inherently fragmentary nature. Secondly, there is a lot of pressure and lobbying from nongovernmental organizations and international organizations. Thirdly, there is a lack of attention to Ukrainian labor migrants, who migrate due to a lack of political freedom. Additionally, the unwillingness of the Ukrainian government to entice public organizations to assist Ukrainian labor migrants has been noticed and condemned. The issue of Ukrainian labor migration is not a high priority for them.”

Information Department of the UGCC