Understanding Dialogue in Ukraine: A Survey-Based Study, Analytical Report 2018

Abstract

The Report presents findings of the survey of participants in dialogues at civil society level in post-2014 Ukraine. 109 respondents – dialogue participants excluding facilitators and conveners – from 17 oblasts of Ukraine took part in the survey and provided information on 157 dialogues conducted by 66 different organisations. The goal of the study was to obtain some quantitative data in order to test hypotheses about the patterns and risks of track-three dialogues in Ukraine.

The findings confirmed that:

- there is a lack of clarity in how the term “dialogue” is used by conveners, civil society and donors

- dialogues on technical issues outnumber those on identity or existential themes

- dialogues are held more frequently in the east of Ukraine (territories controlled by the Ukrainian government)

- the vast majority of dialogues are between people holding mainstream political views

- women are well represented in dialogues and have their views heard in dialogues at the civil society level

- dialogues face underlying challenges that affect both their impact and sustainability.

Keywords: mediation, dialogue, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, war, conflict, Ukraine