EUNIC Ukraine statement
As the network of European Union National Institutes for Culture, we collectively condemn the
aggression against Ukraine, a blatant and unprovoked attack on democracy. We express our
support and solidarity with our colleagues, peers and the people of Ukraine. Our work as a
network of cultural relations practitioners strives for an approach of dialogue in the pursuit of trust
and a peaceful global order.
Our Ukrainian cultural partners are hugely impacted by the violence, and we stand in solidarity
with them. EUNIC’s engagement with, and in Ukraine has been highly active for many years:
EUNIC’s Ukraine cluster is composed of 13 EUNIC members and elsewhere in the world
Ukrainian embassies and cultural centres are partners in several of EUNIC’s other clusters
worldwide. Current and recent major initiatives in Ukraine led by, and collectively with, EUNIC
members include House of Europe and Culture Bridges, two multi-annual multi-million euro
projects creating deep and varied opportunities for capacity building, professional and cultural
exchange between Ukrainian and EU cultural actors.
In its recent work EUNIC has published a study on fragile contexts as well as research on the
contribution of cultural relations to building peace and stability. In November 2021 we held a
knowledge sharing workshop on artistic freedom of expression together with UNESCO, and this
spring we will come together to identify next steps in terms concrete initiatives to support diaspora
Afghan cultural workers. We strongly condemn the acts of aggression in Ukraine and as a
community of cultural relations organisations, EUNIC and its members will seek to use our
resources, influence and shared learning from other fragile contexts to continue to actively support
Ukrainian civil society and cultural actors. This will be done by whatever means possible both
within Ukraine as well as abroad.