Kyiv, November 19, 2014. The Ukrainian government, private media experts, and Ukrainian business teamed up to launch the “UN Hundred” initiative. The project resulted in a book and video designed to explain contemporary events in Ukraine to world leaders at the United Nations. The “UN Hundred” team travelled to New York city in September to personally present the project to world leaders who had convened at the United Nations for the convocation of the 69th General Assembly. This was stated at Ukraine Crisis Media Center by representatives of Ukrainian civil society and business.
The “UN Hundred” project was a collaborative effort between Ukrainian civil society, business, and state. The Presidential Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mail delivery business “Nova Poshta”, Ukraine Crisis Media Center (UCMC), and the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN all contributed to the endeavor. The “UN Hundred” book included the quotes from the international agreements that Russia violated when the country invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March. The video personally called upon each world head of state to support Ukrainians’ efforts to obtain democracy and freedom from foreign aggression, and was narrated by Yulia Marushevska, a former Maidan activist who narrated the viral video “I am Ukrainian.”
Marushevska explained that the delegation personally delivered the material to several foreign heads of state, including the prime ministers of India and Japan and the president of France. “The reaction of people was very sincere, very open,” she stated. Several world leaders expressed their thanks and stated their support for Ukraine. “I believe that this project was a good step, as we personally engaged politicians not as politicians but as people,” Marushevska continued. Although the results of the project on world leaders may never be known, Marushevska would like to believe that the project increased awareness about Ukraine among foreign heads of state.
Vyatcheslav Klimov, the CEO of “Nova Poshta,” said that he was proud of his company’s partnership with the project. “The idea was great and Nova Poshta company is happy to be involved in this project,” he said. The world business community has little understanding of the events that are occurring in Ukraine, and why they are of international importance. Ukrainian society, which includes the business community, stands behind the country’s transition. “We call upon all businesses interested in a beautiful life in our country to join the initiative,” stated Klimov.
