August 1, 2005. Ames, IA. - Maidan International INC, a new nonprofit corporation, was launched August 1, 2005, in Ames, Iowa. The mission of the new foundation is "to support those advancing participatory democracy, promoting civil liberties, developing open society, increasing prosperity, and contributing to world peace in the countries ranging from Central Eastern Europe to Central Asia."
Maidan International is a collaborative effort of a group of individuals who, over the past four years, were actively engaged in democracy promotion projects in Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. The substantial legacy of the Maidan International's organizing team is described here.
"I have renewed my interest in democracy promotion during my MBA course in 2000," - says Mr. Andy Ihnativ, one of Maidan International's members-at-large. "At that time, my homeland, Ukraine, was put to a test by revelations of the country's government involvement in killing an independent Internet journalist. I cannot overestimate the value of international support in helping the Ukrainian people to sustain democracy at that time."
The new organization is not about Ukraine only. "Should we make any contribution to helping build democracy and open society in Central Eastern Europe, that would also help preserve peace, prosperity, and international trade in the region," - says Mrs. Natalie Zubar, a long-time civic activist and another member-at-large at Maidan International. Even now, the future of the whole region of Central and Eastern Europe is marred by dictatorship of Alaksandr Lukashenka, the acting president of Belarus, and Igor Smirnov, an acting president of a separatist Moldovan region of Transdnistria. Central Asian countries are also looking forward to their transition to democracy, as the 2005 events in Kyrgyzstan had demonstrated.
To address the challenges, Maidan International is providing assistance and advice to organizations and individuals in the region, where it is heavily involved in the field activities. Support that is targeted at increasing flow of uncensored information, modern campaigning training, and civic education initiatives are among priorities for the group and supporters.
"Being a grassroots group ourselves, our members are physically "on the field" every day, talking to people, researching opportunities where Maidan International could be helpful, sharing advise and experience," - says Ms. Julia Dubinyuk, a member-at-large.
Anyone can participate in sharing democracy for a freer, more prosperous world. In the country section, you may dedicate your support to a specific service or activity. For example, $250 will be enough to buy a printer that would print over 10,000 copies of leaflets with uncensored information in Belarus; $60 would buy supply for printing 1,000 copies of two-sided independent news bulletin in Transdnistria; $700 a month will be enough to host and support hundreds of independent democracy websites worldwide; $400 will cover organizing and hosting a one day training for 80 independent election observers for the expected elections in the Moldovan region of Transdnistria in winter 2005; and $600 would finance a multicultural understanding and appreciation workshop for ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars in Ukraine.
Alternatively, supporters on Maidan International cause may want to help by hosting country presentation in their communities, school, and neighborhoods. Maidan International will be happy to provide interested individuals, clubs, schools, and associations, with information materials.