Can Ukraine´s Revolution of Dignity Succeed?

Five years after Ukraine´s Revolution of Dignity started with protests on Independence Square in Kyiv, it is time to ask whether the high hopes for reforms and development that inspired the protests can still succeed. After Russia´s annexation of Crimea and with the ongoing war in Eastern Ukraine, the odds appear to be against Ukraine. At the same time, there have also been positive developments.

In this breakfast meeting we will learn more about what has changed in Ukraine, and what can be expected in the years to come. Can the country learn how to deal with corruption? Are the current political leaders trouble- or change-makers?

Sergii Leschenko (1980) is a parliamentarian, blogger, activist and former journalist in Ukraine. He has just published a
new book about the fight against corruption in Ukraine
«Oligarkenes vekst og fall. Kamp mot korrupsjon i Ukraina (2018)»
Between 2000 and 2014 he wrote for “Ukrainska Pravda”, where he specialised on corruption. He has initiated several campaigns for openness in the Ukrainian parliament, and is a member of the parliamentarian committee for the prevention of corruption. In 2014 he received Fritt Ord and ZEIT-Stiftungs press prize for Russia and Eastern Europe. He is listed as information hero by Reporters without borders.

Martin Paulsen is a senior adviser at the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education (Diku). Paulsen was formerly associate professor of Russian studies at the University of Bergen, and he is an long-standing expert on Ukraine. He is Chairman of the Board of the Rafto Foundation and sits on the Board for Fritt Ord and Zeit Stiftungs Press Prizes for Eastern Europe.

Kasper Vagle is a PhD-candidate at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). His main research interests are corruption and deterrence of corporate misconduct. He has organized and participated in field excursions to Ukraine with students from NHH in cooperation with Kyiv-Mohyla Academy studying the corruption challenges Ukraine faces.

Åse Gilje Østensen is a political scientist by training and got her PhD in comparative politics, University in Bergen in 2013. She specializes in civil-military relations, international relations and defence research. Østensen currently works at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy where she serves as a research project coordinator and researcher. She currently researches questions related to the Norwegian total defence concept, Norwegian sea power, and outsourcing of military tasks.

This Breakfast Forum is a collaboration between the Centre on Law and Social Transformation and the Bergen Resource Centre CMI/UiB.

Tea/coffee and croissants will be served.