African migrant in Ukraine taking part in a national folk dance (2007)

Responding to an increase in the number of suspected racially motivated attacks in Ukraine beginning in 2006, the IOM, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Amnesty International and other concerned civil society organizations formed the Diversity Initiative (DI) in 2007, to address the issue in a coordinated way.

DI is a voluntary cooperation platform, which strives to uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants, refugees and visible minorities in Ukraine. It currently includes over 65 organizations from the international, civil, corporate, and Government sectors as well as diplomatic missions and interested individuals (see http://diversipedia.org.ua).

IOM takes an active role in promoting cultural diversity in Ukraine, as it is only through acceptance that migrants are able to fully contribute their wealth of knowledge, ideas and experiences to society. The Mission achives this through implementing dynamic programmes tailored toward youth, utilizing all the resources modern media has to offer. Such activities have included producing video/audio public service announcements and posters for city light billboards, creating an interactive website with online quizzes and a photography competition via social networks (Facebook, Twitt er, Vkontakte), and producing an award winning documentary film.

Through art, music, cinema, the Internet and interactive events, the IOM invites the next generation of Ukrainian men and women to challenge stereotypes and experience the benefits of cultural diversity for themselves.

INTEGRATION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES

IOM works to integrate marginalized national minorities in Ukraine through economic development support. Specifically, IOM is currently assisting a vulnerable group of ethnic Koreans living in the south of Ukraine, to integrate into the formal economy and safeguard their rights.

These developmental activities are leading to increased legal empoyment opportunities for ethnic Koreans, through training and low interest rate micro-credit schemes, as well as contributing to economic development of the region by raising levels of knowledge and education in the field of modern agricultural techniques, business start-ups and administrative support.