The first stage of the competition to select a head of Ukrainian Institute, an institution aimed to become a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy, has completed with 33 applications filed for the post.
"Dear friends, we are glad to inform you about the completion of the first stage of the competition for the post of the head of Ukrainian Institute. We admit that we did not expect such a number of applications: 33 candidates applied to take part in the contest," according to Ukraine's Cultural Diplomacy Facebook page.
This week, the commission will review all applications and interview the candidates.
"We promise to promptly inform about each stage of competitive selection and its results," the organizers wrote.
As reported earlier, MFA Ukraine in February initiated foundation of Ukrainian Institute as a public institution with offices in various countries to represent Ukraine abroad. The aim of the Institute is to contribute to better understanding of what contemporary Ukraine is and to promote trust to Ukraine among intellectuals and culture actors.
The Ukrainian Institute will be a public institution affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but formally its activity will not be regulated by the convention on diplomatic relations. It will be financed both from the state budget and grants or charitable donations. Its areas of activity will encompass cultural diplomacy, so-called “creative economy”, education, science and public diplomacy. The first offices will be opened in “key” counties, both in North America and Europe.
The Institute’s work will be based on the principles of transparency, openness, professionalism and inclusiveness. “All proposals and products suggested by public or non-governmental sector will be considered in common discussion between all the stakeholders – professionals, experts in education, science and culture, civil society representatives,” Pavlo Klimkin said, according to UACrisis.org.
Control on the Institute’s activities will be ensured by a Supervisory Council, represented by art experts and cultural figures.
