Ukraine's Cultural Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region

Svitlana Ovcharenko

doi:10.11114/ijlpa.v4i2.5228

Abstract

The article analyzes the achievements, prospects and issues of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy in the Black Sea region. It outlines different levels of cultural cooperation in the region, in which the goals of Ukraine's cultural diplomacy can be realized: cooperation within UNESCO, cooperation within the Eastern European Partnership, cooperation within the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), cooperation within bilateral cultural contacts. It is emphasized that all formats of cultural interaction complement each other and can have a synergistic effect. It is noted that Ukraine is one of the few countries that has participated in the ICDS testing, and together with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan can set a precedent for the regional application of this methodology by UNESCO. Ukrainian cultural diplomacy in the Black Sea region is also considered in connection with the state’s European integration obligations under the "Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU". Summarizing the level of activity in the field of cultural diplomacy in the region, it is noted that Ukraine is not fully aware of the importance of cultural diplomacy tools for resolving the conflict situation related to the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation. Examining the content of the "Strategy of Public Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 2021-2025", a recommendation was made to supplement the list of target regions for cultural diplomacy of Ukraine with the Black Sea region as an integral socio-cultural object.

Highlights

In recent years, the events in the Black Sea have often attracted the attention of the international political community and are linked to the theme of preserving peace in the region
As a modern state, Ukraine owns a significant share of the Black Sea coast and is often referred to in today's world political discourse as a state with a maritime conflict - the annexation of Crimea. This conflict sharply raises the question of maintaining free maritime trade and fishing in the Black Sea, which can prevent the presence of the Russian navy on the bases of the Crimean Peninsula
- all programs and dialogue platforms intended for the countries of the Black Sea region imply the development of cultural diplomacy;

Summary

Introduction

The events in the Black Sea have often attracted the attention of the international political community and are linked to the theme of preserving peace in the region. The same conventions are repeatedly mentioned in the documents of the European Union, which determine the strategies of its cultural development For this reason, they can be considered as framework documents that unite global and local levels of cultural cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region, including within the framework of the Eastern European Partnership programs. Coordinating its actions with the EU in the field of culture, Ukraine should be included in the events and programs that the European Community has adopted in recent years, shaping the agenda for the period up to 2030 Culture in this process of integral social development of the EU countries takes a significant place as one of the aspects of the "UN Development Goals 2016-2030" implementation. Within the framework of the Eastern European Partnership, Ukraine receives a resource base for promoting its goals of cultural diplomacy in a country like Moldova, which is included in the BSB CBC regional Black Sea cooperation program. For Ukraine, the source of the most powerful resource base for cultural cooperation with the countries of the Black Sea region are two programs - Creative Europe and the BSB CBC program

Local Level of Ukraine’s Cultural Diplomacy of in the Black Sea Region

Conclusions