By Victoria Andrievska

For me, speaking to a refugee from Rwanda was remarkable. It was the highlight of the Human Library event that the UN Office Kyiv organized jointly with UNHCR in Ukraine to mark the 19th Commemoration of the Rwanda Genocide. 

No matter how complex the topic, the Human Library concept remains simple:  “a reader” (or a small group of people) can borrow “a book” (a person representing some unique knowledge or experience) and ask questions to clarify issues through the course of informal conversations. 

What made the experience so special was that in such a small group, of just five people, we were able to converse with Rwandan refugee Khosidel Muchungakawa by asking questions and discovering the horrible circumstances that defined the tragic destiny of his family and native village. We learned that through two serious assaults, nearly all of his family members died and only he and one sister survived. 

Khosidel was one of the “books” aimed to increase understanding of the different aspects of the civil war and the genocide in Rwanda. Through lively discussions with historians, NGO leaders, and humanitarian experts 50 young people were able to participate in the event.

The Human Library was created by a group of young people in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1993. It is designed to promote dialogue, reduce prejudices and encourage understanding. 

The Human Library proved an interesting and efficient way to put a human face on history.

Nineteen years after the Rwanda genocide left more than 800,000 people dead and millions of survivors struggling in a wore-torn country, or in exile, a group of Ukrainians gathered together to honour those who perished and discuss what could be done to prevent ethnic conflict from occurring in the future.

Organized by the UN Office Kyiv, Yana Salakhova, Specialist on Combating Racism and Xenophobia at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Ukraine spoke at an event commemorating the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide. “One of the best ways to reduce the risk of ethnic conflict is to address the root causes of violence: hatred, intolerance, racism and discrimination that unfortunately are present in many countries of the world… This can be done through bringing to justice perpetrators of such crimes and public campaigns that give vulnerable groups feel of safety and protection.”

During the event, the use of sexual violence during conflict was discussed as a as a tool of war intended to terrorize the population, break up families, destroy communities, and, in some instances, change the whole ethnic make-up of the next generation, deliberately infect women with HIV and render women from the targeted community incapable of bearing children. 

A documentary film about a Rwandan women’s association “Duhozanye” was screened and a “Living Library” interactive discussion encouraged participants to ponder measures that would promote cultural dialogue and prevent ethnic conflict.  

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Regional Representation for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, and USC Shoah Foundation in Ukraine also spoke at the Kyiv Myhola Academy Cinema Club.

UN Women's Oksana Kyselyova speaks on TV Channel Rada

According to research conducted by “Mass Media in Ukraine” of the Gorshenin Institute, 76 per cent of Ukrainians consider television as the preferred information conduit. Harnessing the knowledge that many respondents confirmed that they favoured news and socially important content, in 2013 UN Office (UNO) Kyiv began providing TV Channels with UN information on important global and national initiatives. 

In addition to UN of information and data, UNO also arranges television interviews with experts from the UN Country Team in Ukraine.

In 2012, UNO Kyiv established a partnership with Ukraine Parliamentary TV Channel “Rada”. In addition to broadcasting sessions of the Parliament, it provides information on the latest legislative initiatives and critical country development issues. Watched by decision makers, on national and local levels, these viewers are the same audience who see the UN information.

In the frame of this partnership UN experts visit the channel’s studio on a weekly basis to present information on various important topics, such as the importance of Ukraine to ratify the Hague convention; UN work to Social Justice; HIV/AIDS epidemics in Ukraine, Gender equality, MDGs and 1000 days countdown to 2015, and many others. 

This is one outreach initiative where UNO Kyiv disseminates UN information to millions of people in the country.

On 5 March 2013, the United Nations System in Ukraine launched its new information campaign “There are people in your life worth living for” aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles among the Ukrainian population. This joint information campaign was mainly supported by UNDP, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, and WHO representative offices in Ukraine and coordinated by UNO Kyiv.

The campaign features selected health topics reflecting the current health status of Ukrainians and critical needs for its improvement, including: environment and ecology (healthy planet), healthy aging, reproductive health, vaccination, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and promotion of early testing for HIV.

The campaign theme and slogan – “There are people in your life worth living for”, and the playful campaign images attempt at creating a positive emotional connection between serious public health concerns, personal health and willingness to ensure the safety and happiness of our nearest and dearest. 

“The path to health for every community and every individual always requires effort or some changes. By leading a healthy lifestyle, in a  healthy environment and with access to quality health services, we can add years to our life and life to our years”, Ms. Dorit Nitsan, World Health Organization Representative in Ukraine stated at the campaign launch.

The nation-wide campaign will be rolled out to all regions of Ukraine throughout 2013 and will become visible not only in the city lights and billboards, but also in the mainstream media, social media and in special events organized in cooperation with partners for various target groups.  

The healthy lifestyles information campaign implemented jointly by the whole United Nations System in Ukraine builds on the priorities set for the Ukraine-United Nations Partnership Framework 2012-2016, outlining health-related issues as one of the Organization’s main areas of activities in Ukraine.