The Ukrainian Institute (Ukrainian: Український інститут, Ukrayinsʹkyy instytut) is a public institution of Ukraine that aims to represent Ukrainian culture in the world and form a positive image of Ukraine abroad. The institute was founded by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 2017, and is affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. It fully began its activities in the summer of 2018, after the appointment to the position of General Director Volodymyr Sheiko, as a result of an open competition and the creation of a team of specialists.[1]
Objectives
Increase international visibility and improve understanding of Ukraine among people of other cultures
Promote Ukrainian language and culture internationally
Support international mobility and facilitate professional exchange, support international cooperation projects in creative industries, culture, education and science
Share Ukraine's experience of civil society development, state-building, commitment to principles of freedom, democracy and national unity [2]
Programme priorities
The priorities of activity of the Ukrainian Institute formed based on:
Two internal strategic sessions in August-September 2018;
Public strategic session of the Institute on October 18, 2018;
Strategic session on cultural diplomacy jointly with the Ukrainian Cultural Fund;
Consultations with 80 experts and sector professionals in culture, creative industries and education in August-December 2018;
The work of the Ukrainian Institute is divided into sectors: cinema, music, visual arts, literature, performing arts, academic projects and programs, image projects and programs, development of cultural diplomacy and research [4]
Among the programs and projects organized by the Ukrainian Institute are:
Ukraine in two Minutes (together with Internews Ukraine and UkraineWorld)
Ukrainian souvenir
In July 2020, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, a series of discussions was held on cultural diplomacy and the strategy of the Ukrainian Institute.
Team
Director General
Volodymyr Sheiko is a specialist in culture management, marketing and communications. For 11 years he held senior positions in the Ukrainian mission of the British Council. Organizer of numerous cultural projects and events in the UK and 15 European countries: exhibitions, art residencies, film festivals, professional internships, concerts, literary programs, trainings, theater productions. A graduate of the Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. In 2009, received a professional diploma in marketing, and in 2014 - a diploma in digital marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). In 2011, he graduated from the Summer School of Scottish Universities SUISS in the field of "Contemporary British and Irish Literature" (Edinburgh, Scotland). Member of the 2016 Summer School of Global Governance and member of the international network of Bucerius Summer School (ZEIT-Stiftung, Hamburg, Germany). Member of the IETM International Professional Performing Arts Network and the Total Theater Network. [5]
Creative Director
Tetyana Filevska is a specialist in the field of contemporary art.
Executive Director
Nataliya Neniuchenko. She got many years of civil service experience.
Programme Director
Iryna Prokofieva is a specialist in project management, organisational development, and international cooperation.
Communications Director
Tetyana Oliynyk
Deputy Director General
Alim Aliev. Journalist, human rights activist, researcher and manager of educational and cultural projects.
The Supervisory Board is an advisory body that contributes to governance of the Ukrainian Institutes by helping define its priorities, manage assets and monitor implementation of statutory objectives. The Supervisory Board includes representatives of four Ministries as well as prominent Ukrainian artists, culture managers and civil society actors:
Andriy Vitrenko - deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine
Emine Dzheppa - first Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Volodymyr Yermolenko - director of European projects of Internews Ukraine NGO, journalist, philosopher, writer
Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex
Liliya Mlynarych - Head of the Supervisory Board President of the Koktebel Jazz Festival
Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta - Director General of "Mystetskyi Arsenal" National Cultural and Art and Museum Complex
Nataliya Popovych - President of One Philosophy Group of Companies, co-founder of Ukrainian Crisis Media Center and Ukrainian Leadership Academy, communications expert
Olga Sagaidak - Dofa fund Co-founder, Head of the Interregional Cultural Forums Project, Art critic
