Peace Between Ukraine and Russia: Donbas
In December 2019, our founder Hana Mosavie gave a peace talk with the H. E. Mr Alex Lenaerts, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine. This blog is written on from the perspective of Hana.
This discussion focused on the meaning of peace and the implementation of using a multi-facet approach to peacebuilding. Interestingly, the focus led to the topic of Russia, Ukraine, and the Donbas region. The debate quickly became heated between audience members some members of the panel. What was so unique, and liberating was to have individuals from the Donbas region that spoke of their desire and identity that lay more towards to the Russian side comparing to other Ukrainians that felt a strong unification to all of Ukraine being one. This obviously had become an issue of identity, the question remained whether to paint Donbas as Russian completely or Ukrainian.
As I approached the topic, I firstly did not want to patronise the audience or individuals from any region and tell them what to feel. Identity and cultural connection are subjective, but instead I decided to focus the discussion on the concept of identity and the combination of culture. Politics, while extremely interesting and relevant, can also feel far too removed to allow our opinion to make any impact. Instead, by focusing on the day to day life, culture, belonging we can understand that the similarities are far closer than our differences. I was able lead the discussion into a more positive outlook, we all understand other factors of society that can dictate and lead us to become more resentful of another group. In real life, we are all trying to live a life that is fulfilling, find love, find a career, be happy and feel content with the life we have led.
The participants became far more involved and as a speaker, it felt as though they became more willing to discuss the future of the region with their counterparts. Interestingly, to look inward in all elements of life, you can understand your stance with more gravitas. They saw their compatibility and similarities of traditions values and individuals within the two regardless of manmade boarders. If we fear the unknown, we only create destruction. I can find similarities to any person in the world, and I can find dissimilarities with the same person, its how you decide to look at the situation. Choose a common ground to bond over, and you will understand how to resolve the problematic areas, as you will care a lot more not to ruin the relationship built.
By the end of the discussion, the environment felt uplifted, motivated, and somewhat at ease. The elephant in the room was not an issue to avoid but to understand. The discussion ended in the proposition of understanding the disputes which led from identity and miscommunication. The acknowledgement that everyone is needed, country and citizens for a good relationship, felt somewhat empowering.
