Ukraine and its millions of people, who are found in Ukraine and around the world, are excited about the opportunities and challenges which have presented themselves as a result of the Ukrainian Declaration of Independence on August 24, 1991. Finally Ukriane is free, after hundreds of years of domination by its neighbors and their military and political leaders, some who have been the most horrible and cruel leaders found in the history of the world. The road from a totally Soviet communist dominated society to a free, independent, democratic, private, market driven society and economic system has been a long and painful one. 

The movement toward a free, private organization dominated society, where many of the problems and challenges faced by people and their society are solved by the people themselves, has begun. People help themselves in countries around the world normally through a large structure of thousands and thousands of private, not-for-profit, self-help organizations which are controlled by its members, who elect a board of directors, who then run the organization and its program through a professional staff. Organizations such as these receive special benefits in most societies such as tax deductions for their donors. Modern governments recognize the huge value of such organizations and support them in many ways. 

Private self-help, self-funded democratic structures did not exist in the former Soviet Union. The whole concept was foreign to communist societies and was in direct opposition and conflict to the concept of state domination and control over every aspect of life and society. Starting and running such private organizations in Ukraine has been difficult for many reasons. The Ukraine government has not created the rules and legislation to allow the development of such organization as it should have. The Ukraine government has done what it should to help its people help themselves. The lack of action on the part of the Ukraine government since 1991, to support the development of private, voluntary, organizations is especially painful, discouraging and very destructive to the people of Ukraine and their new independence. Major work needs to be done to convince the Ukraine government the absolute importance of the development of such organization in a free, independent, private societe. It is certainly in the best long run interest of the government to do this. 

The economic, social, and people needs in Ukraine are huge, are overwhelming. ArtUkraine.com will identify as many private, not-for-profit organizations as possible, in Ukraine, the United States, Canada and in other countries, that are working to improve conditions in Ukraine. These are organizations who are committed to assisting the people of Ukraine and also are committed to helping them develop structures to help themselves.

ArtUkraine urges everyone interested in Ukraine and its people to donote generously to these organizations and to work together to get the Ukraine government to support such self-help organizations through better legislation. Much of the work to support the people of Ukraine which is needed in Ukraine now and in the future cannot and should not be done by the government. The important work should be done by the people themselves through private organizations. To accomplish the work ahead Ukraine and its people need the support from such organizations and their leaders from around the world. You can help, please contact any of the following organizations and give generously of your time, energy and funds.

If you know of organizations you would recommend be listed on by ArtUkraine please contact us.