analytical report of the examined stereotypes about idps in ukraine

“Have you seen the Burattino?”

Analytical report based on the research results regarding the emerging stereotypes towards the Internally

Displaced Persons in Ukraine

Literature group «STAN» 2015


Research on the emerging stereotypes towards the Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine was conducted within the

framework of the project:«Promoting dialogue and reconciliation in the regions of

Ukraine»

Supported by National Endowment for Democracy,

Embassy of the United States in Ukraine - the Democracy Grants Program (Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the participants of the project and do not

necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. government)


INTRODUCTION


Century of exile – historical aspect of the internal displacement in Ukraine

During the WWI outlines have been made on forceful displacement of huge numbers of people for political and military purposes, while nations have been repressed

In the Russian Empire the theory of "military statistics“ has been developed for ideological justification, which stipulates that an ideal place for conducting war or fighting is where an ethnically homogeneous population that speaks one language. This gave the state a green light to enforce “the right for deportation“

Simultaneously, the German military theoretics created the concept of ‘totalkrieg/ total war”, which in unrestricted terms sees nations collectively responsible and subject for collective punishment. Such practices blossomed in 1930s-1950s, the times of totalitarian regimes


«Often the emphasis was on the loss of tangible assets; to be deprived of one’s sense of belonging clearly entailed a loss of one’s home (“heart”, “fireside” and “nest” were common appellations for the abandoned home).Those who in peaceful time had been economically secure were now threatened with downward social mobility. Stripped of their property. “wealthy householders have been turned into homeless vagrants.”»¹

Professor of Economic History, University of Manchester, Peter GatrellP. Gatrell. A Whole Empire Walking: Refugees in Russia during World War I.

Indiana University Press, 1999, p.198.


1914

- during the occupation of Galicia and Bukovina, Russian troop deported 2,000 people (Greek Catholic clergy, including Metropolitan Andrij Sheptytsky, Ukrainian intelligentsia, Jews)

1915

- 100 000 deported to disrupt the mobilization of the Austro-Hungarian army; - 20 000 of Ukrainian citizens were repressed in Austrian camps, 3800 of which were tortured - 200 000 German colonists were sent from Volun to remote provinces

The beginning of1930s

- 300 000 people were deported to Siberia and far East on class grounds


1936-37

- liquidation of Polish and German districts - 70 000 ethnic Germans were repressed and subsequently deported from the territory of Ukraine

1940

- 90 000 Polish and German colonists from Galicia and Volyn were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan

1941

- 9000 people were deported to Siberia including prosperous Ukrainian peasants, priests and non-communistic activists together with their families;

1944

- 36 000 non loyal Ukrainians to the regime were deported - finalizing stage of the deportations on German and Polish colonists - Greeks deported from the Ukrainian Black Sea coasts


1945-46

- 482 000 Ukrainian deported from Poland to Ukraine

- 1 400 000 Poles deported from Ukraine to Poland - 140 000 of the Ukrainian Poles were forcefully deported to the so-called regained territories under the Vistula operation

1947

- 25 000 families of the action UPA members were deported under operation “West”

До 1952

- 193 000 deported during fighting with Bandera partisans. Around 10% of whom died in camps in Siberia and Kazakhstan

- Romanians deported from Bukovina and Odessa regions

- mass deportation of the Jehovah's Witnesses


«The era of modernism gave birth the concept of total war and bore the revival of the principle of collective responsibility of nations, opening the way for genocide, deportations and ethnic cleansing. European civilization have made an incredible somersault from the era of scientific progress back to the times of the king of Assyria, Sennacherib who loved to strap the walls of the defeated cities with the skin of enemies» ²

Ukrainian writer and analyst, Konstantin Skorkin The Century of exile: historical aspect of the internal displacement in Ukraine,

2015


Contemporary internal displacement in the world

By the end of 2014, total of 38 million of people in the entire world who were forced to leave their homes due to armed conflicts and mass repressions are to be considered as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the boundaries of their own state

11 million people were internally displaced only in 2014. This equals to 30000 per day. This number is the highest for the past decade

Most of the new internal displacement (60%) is due to crises in Iraq, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria

Ukraine has become the only country in the areas of Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia where conflict has caused internal displacement of people. According to the UNCHR, as for 14th of August 2015, the number of the internally displaced in Ukraine is 1 438 000 people


Internal displacement in the world: numbers³


Internal displacement in Ukraine: numbers⁴


RESEARCHING STEREOTYPES


Researching stereotypes towards the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in UkraineWithin the framework of the project «Promoting dialogue and reconciliation in the regions of Ukraine» research has been conducted on assessing the attitude towards the internally displaced persons in eight big Ukrainian cities, and two cities that are close to the frontline in the East, bordering the areas that are under control of the pro-Russian separatists

Research activities have been conducted in the following Ukrainian cities:Vinnitsya, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Kremenchuk, Lutsk, Kharkiv,

Chernigiv, Melitopol and Izmail

In addition, mass media monitoring has been conducted in six regional administrative centers of Ukraine and one big city focusing on the availability of stereotyping, prejudice and stigmatization towards the internally displaced


Map of the research activities


Our methodology

Monitoring mass media conducted in seven regional administrative centers of Ukraine on the

availability of stereotyping, prejudice and stigmatization towards the internally displaced

from Donetsk, Lugansk and Crimea regions

Guided small discussion groups, participants of which include the internally displaced persons, activists from civil and volunteer organizations, managers of culture, educators, students and journalists, bloggers and local bureaucrats and

deputies

Interviews with regional experts from central, western and eastern Ukraine on intercultural tension rising in the society,

stereotypes towards the internally displaced persons and effective methods debunking

such stereotypes


Mass media monitoring: monitoring the availability of stereotypes,

bias, prejudice and stigmatization towards the internally displaced people

Research period: 1 July– 31 December 2014

Analyzed: 28 mass media sources of six regional centers of Ukraine (Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk, Kharkiv, Chernigiv) and the city of Kremenchuk

In each of the above mentioned cities 4 publications have been monitored, both online and paper ones, as well as TV (in the case of the latter, online versions have been taken for monitoring)


Based on our monitoring of four publications in Kremenchuk:

The number of materials that touch the theme of the IDPs is 2 % (182 materials), 5% of which (9 materials) had clear signs of bias

Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Kremenchuk are the following:

IDPs are dangerous (they are referred to as saboteurs or terrorists) or at least suspicious, are not ‘the good citizens’ (similar statements are mostly heard from D. Zakharchenko, who is the

head of the city board of the Kremenchuk police, in the news his statements are often not cited

which results in the media basically translating with his point of view)

IDPs do not wish to take part in the development of the country and wish to flee abroad

there are also existing stereotypes that all IDPs live in highly poor conditions, which is often not the case. Examples of positive discrimination were not found


Kremenchuk(Central Ukraine)

“…the surge of crime in Kremenchuk, the local police is ties to the big influx of refugees from the depressed Donbas districts. ..” ⁵

“…they flee from the East, like mice, and can settle in our regions…” ⁶

“…They do not wish to participate in the elections, no wish to influence the future of Ukraine…” ⁷

“…they settle and prepare themselves for a long-term war with us...” ⁸

“…we live like refugees from Sloviansk, or even worse …”⁹

Analyzed the following 4 media:

1. 05366.com.ua2. Telegraf3. Visnuk

Kremenchuha4. Kremenchuk

Hromadske telebachennya


Based on our monitoring of the four publications in Chernigiv:

The number of materials that touch the theme of the IDPs is 1 % (126 materials) , 12% of which (16 materials) had clear signs of bias

Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Chernigiv are the following:

Typical spiteful wording in titles that relate to the topic of internally displaced persons, simply referring to IDPs as “those from Donetsk“ or "aliens”

hate speech was clearly detected in comparisons such as: “nomadic Mongolian yoke” or “Serpent near the heart”

Yet in general, there is not much attention devoted to the IDPs in the media of Chernigiv and there are very few publications which would include the voice of the people themselves

Nonetheless, in materials that are about social protection, celebrations or mobilization, the IDPs are always mentioned in additional wording e.g. “and also the IDPs…”


Chernigiv(Central Ukraine)

“…Refugees from Lugansk are like the nomadic Mongolian yoke…”¹⁰

“…IDPs from the East do not wish to live in dormitories…” ¹¹

“…the relocated «Kremlin wad» with fists defended the honor of the occupant…” ¹²

“…Ungrateful IDPs…” ¹³

“… those who pretend to be «peaceful» IDPs, yet have the sign of both obvious or hidden hostility…” ¹⁴

“…the demographic statistics of Chernigiv region are heighten due to the IDPs families…” ¹⁵

“… She sheltered a serpent near the heart…” ¹⁶

1. Gorod.cn.ua2. Pik.cn.ua3. Vysokij Val4. Chernigivska

ODTRK



Based on our monitoring of the four publications in Vinnytsia:

The number of materials that touch the theme of the IDPs is 2 % (126 materials), 2 % of which (3 materials) had clear signs of bias

Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Vinnytsia are the following:

In general, the media in Vinnytsia that we have analyzed are appropriately covering the theme of IDPs, yet the number of such publications is very small

In general the media in Vinnytsia do not produce the common stereotypes like their ‘dangerousness’ or ‘negative moral standards’. Nonetheless, media in Vinnytsia do allow themselves to talk about the ‘indecency’ of the IDPs

No examples of positive discrimination were found


Vinnytsia(Central Ukraine)

“…war in the sandbox: will the children of the IDPs make friends with the local children…” ¹⁷

“…together with the families of IDPs to Vinnytsia also came the problem of aggressive attitude towards the peers…” ¹⁸

“…Only 352 refugees are looking of a job. While the total number of working age migrants is 2529…” ¹⁹

“…September 1st is approaching, the first school bell and the beginning of the new academic year. Our children will get to know 197 internally displaced children, and who knows whether our children will come back home happy and exited after their new encounter or come back with red eyes and sand in their heads and without their bicycles…” ²⁰

1. 20 khvilin2. My Vinnitsa3. Misto4. Vinnytska ODTRK



Based on our monitoring of the four publications in Ivano-Frankivsk:


Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Ivano-Frankivsk are the following:

problematics and conflictedness of the IDPs is put in contrast to the hospitality of the local Ivano-Frankisvk residents

IDPs do not wish to participate in defending the East, only wish to live on the cost of the Precarpathian residents

IDPs are being linked to criminals and bad manners

Morals of the IDPs are said to be lower then those of the Ivano-Frankivsk’s residents


Ivano-Frankivsk(Western Ukraine)

“…The kids from the East and Crimea are taken into kindergartens without any queue…” ²¹

“…are resting in Transcarpathia and Yaremche…” ²²

“…[local resident] is giving them shelter, but hears in response unjustified complaints and accusations...” ²³

“…In the pre-Carpathian region the IDPs refuse to register themselves at the local military commissariats…” ²⁴

“…not all, who come here have clear conscience and good intentions…” ²⁵

“…the first wave of migrants left a bad reputation and now the locals do not have any trust towards them...” ²⁶

“…they often lie…” ²⁷

1. Kurs.if.ua2. Reporter3. Galician

correspondent4. ODTRK «Karpaty»

Analyzed the following 4media:


Based on our monitoring of the four publications in Lutsk:


Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Volyn are the following:

they suspect IPDs in criminal offences (most horrific ones), and produce publications which hint that IDPs can cause street violence (e.g. beatings on the street)

Another problem that is present yet highly exaggerated in the media, is the reluctance of the IDPs to live in any kind of conditions like the villages of Volyn. Such materials display immigrants as too picky and capricious as opposed to the allegedly ascetic "natives"

Simultaneously, none of the media did offer any real analysis of the conditions that are being offered to the IDPs in the local villages, and fail to acknowledge and explain the basic fact that those people who have never lived in villages actually can have problems with adjusting to the rural conditions

Moreover, Volyn’s media actively disseminate the conviction that man from Donbas do not defend the East of Ukraine, but on the contrary ‘hide’ behind their IDP status. Also the tone of the media in Lutsk when they write about IDPs has a scornfully ironic character


Lutsk(Western Ukraine)

“…due to IDPs from Donbas the situation with HIV / Aids deteriorated…” ²⁸

“…while he with comrades is defending the Lugansk region, the internally displaced man are hiding from the war in Volyn…”²⁹

“…[police] also check, whether the IDPs from the East could have any links to the murder…”³⁰

“…community…will strive so that man from Donbas who came to Volyn region to ‘sit out’ the war here, would immediately go back to their homes…”³¹

“…foreign nationals and demanding IDPs…”³²

“… in Volyn there are fears of terroristic attacks which could come from suspicious IDPs...”³³

“…there are suggestions in Lutsk to form a labor army for IDPs…”³⁴


1. Hromadske. Volyn

2. Volynpost3. Volynska

gazeta4. Volynski

novuny


Based on our monitoring of the four publications in Kharkiv:


Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Kharkiv are the following:

IDPs are presented as the cause of problems, while the cause is deeper and people in question are mainly the victims

lack of knowledge of the Ukrainian language halts the full integration of the IDPs into the community

IDPs are better not to be trusted (for flat rental, taxi service) – subjective perception of one person is extrapolated onto the whole group of IDPs

there is a problem of shedding light on the Roma question and Roma IDPs in particular. In sum we can conclude that media in Kharkiv is not the main source of stereotypes towards the IDPs


Kharkiv(Eastern Ukraine)

“…cases are known, when Kharkov residents after calling a taxi service ask to not send them internally displaced taxi drivers. Among the complaints: lack of knowledge of the city and unusual manner of driving…”³⁵

“…IDPs are in need of Russian-Ukrainian dictionaries… due to the change of language even the best students lag behind in schools…”³⁶

“…And today there are already problems related to the fact that internally displaced tenants are running out of money, do not have enough to cover their bills, yet not wish to move out since they do not have any other places to go to...”³⁷

1. dozor.kharkov.ua2. Mediaport3. Vecherniy

Kharkov4. Kharkivske

oblasne telebachennya



Based on our monitoring of the four publications in Dnipropetrovsk:


Main stereotypes that were present in the monitored media of Dnipropetrovsk are the following:

Media in Dnipropetrovsk are actively emphasizing on the aid for IDPs and on the difficult situation they found themselves in

Main stereotypes that are present in the media of Dnipropetrovsk are the following: IDPs are dangerous or at least suspicious, even though such attitudes are rather on the instinctive level.Also they are portrayed as potential delinquents and have a specifically negative “Donetsk mentality”


Dnipropetrovsk(Eastern Ukraine)

“…Employment agencies are filled. There is twice as much work for the police…”³⁸

“…It is clear that not all employers will be willing to hire them…” ³⁹

“…Part of the IDPs – are relatively wealthy. They are racing through the city in their luxurious cars, do not follow any traffic code, demonstrating by this their typical rude, Donetsk’s way of behaving on the road …”⁴⁰

“…illegal IDP is seemingly dangerous…” ⁴¹

1. 056.ua2. Gorod.dp.ua3. Dnepr Vecherniy4. telekanal 34.ua



«Main problem with the media in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kremenchuk, Lutsk, Kharkiv and Chernigiv during the period of July- December 2014 is not the clear fact of present stereotypes or bias but mainly the very small number of publications which would cover the theme of internal displacement, especially those that would cover it from the perception of the internally displaced themselves. Also the lack of analytical materials on this theme is very small.

Based on our observations, which were not covered by this research, during the next winter-spring period the number of publications focusing of the integration question of the IDPs, their problems and success significantly increased»

Svitlana Oslavska, journalist, press-coordinator of the project “Promoting dialogue and reconciliation in the regions of Ukraine”


Vinnytsia126

Ivano-Frankivsk254

Dnipropetrovsk252

Kremenchuk182

Lutsk130

Chernigiv126

Kharkiv264 2%

4%

1%

5%10%

2%2%

Number of publications covering the theme of internal displacement per

monitored city

Percentage of publications that had the signs of bias and stereotypes towards the IDPs in the monitored

media

Research period: 1 July -31 December 2014


Our recommendations for the media:

1. Publications must rely more on the voices/views of the IDPs themselves;

2. More attempts have to be made to report and uncover the problems, successes and ordinary life of the IDPs;

3. Focus more analytical reports and materials;

4. Data base of heroes has to be constantly held up to date and increased accordingly, so that in the final publications more perceptions can be portrayed;

5. More publications have to appear covering good practices from the lives of the IDPs;

6. Special trainings for editors have to be conducted focusing on avoidance of hate speech, stereotypes transmission and stigmatization in the media


Guided small discussion groups, participants of which include the internally displaced persons, activists from civil

and volunteer organizations, managers of culture, educators, students, journalists, bloggers, local bureaucrats and

deputies

Research period: 20 December 2014 – 30 April 2015

This research method was conducted ten cities (Kremenchuk, Chernigiv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Izmail and Melitopol) with groups between 25 -50 people during which the participants had to anonymously formulate questions towards to IDPs so that we could detect the potential presence of hidden stereotypes

After this, participants were encouraged to form small groups of 5 to 10 people each and discuss the freshly formulated questions which were randomly chosen on spot. In each of such groups at least one IDP had to be present


4 steps algorithm for the guided small discussion groups

• Activation of the audience through a video clip (in English) on examples of the cultural diversity, aimed to reduce stereotypes in the society

• Data collection through a game: our main method was based on the principle of collection anonymous questions which the participants were encouraged to formulate towards the IDPs that reside in their local communities. The following starting formulations were proposed: “Why…” and/or “Is it true that…”

• Systematization of acquired information: participants were joined in small groups of 5-10 people and were encouraged to discuss the randomly chosen questions that were collected minutes earlier

• Debunking the stereotypes: participants who were present and were internally displaced had the opportunity to refute the information that was present in the formulated questions, but also answer the questions on spot and subjectively explain from where such questions/ stereotypes emerge


Testing the research method

The methodology for researching stereotypes towards the ethnic and social minorities in Ukraine in small guided discussion groups was developed by the Literature group «STAN» aiming to collect, systematize and debunk the existing stereotypes Approbation of the methods was piloted during an intercultural discussion “the Power of Diversity in Kremenchuk’’ on the 22nd of December 2014 This pilot research event was conducted within the framework of the project “Incubator of Trust” During this pilot research stereotypes were collected and systematized towards the IDPs, the Jewish, Muslim and the Armenian communities of Kremenchuk Final results of this event are published in an analytical report⁴²


RESULTS: Central Ukraine


Kremenchuk (22.12.2014)

An excerpt from the questions that contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs:

Is it true that husbands of the internally displaced women “fight at home against the ‘UKRop’ people”?Is it true that the internally displaced people from Donbas support Putin even despite their residence in Ukraine?Is it true that the internally displaced people believe that the state owes them something?Why is that that in Lugansk the so-called ‘UKRop’ people are not liked?

Is it true that IDPs from the East do not wish to learn Ukrainian language?

In total there where 58 questions formulated in Kremenchuk which contain hidden stereotypes towards the minority groups, 6 out them where addressed

to IDPs


Pilot event aiming to research to the stereotypes in Kremenchuk


Чернігів (24.03.2015)An excerpt from the questions that contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs:

Why do you think that we all owe you something?

Why is that you do not rush to find jobs in our place?

Is it true that it is impossible to evict an internally displaced person from a rented apartment?

Why did you come to us and did not stay instead to protect your own lands?

Is it true that Ukrainian language for a resident from the East is worse than Chinese?

In total there where 33 questions formulated in Chernigiv which

contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Chernigiv


Vinnytsia (05.03.2015)


Is it true that residents from Donetsk are different from the residents of Vinnytsia?Why did you flee and did not protect Donbas? Why is that the internally displaced persons have aggressive attitudes towards the local residents? Why do people in the Eastern regions do not respect Ukrainian language? Why do the residents from Donbas do not consider themselves Ukrainian?

In total there where 41 questions formulated in Vinnytsia which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Vinnytsia


Kyiv (25.03.2015)


Is it true that men from the East are afraid to protect their own land?

Why do you all look so good?

Why do you distinguish yourselves from the others?

Why are you so unmannered?

Is it true that you do not understand Ukrainian language?

Is it true that above your rooftops Russian flags were hanging?

In total there where 100 questions formulated in Kyiv which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


RESULTS: Western Ukraine


Ivano-Frankivsk (23.02.2015)


Is it true that you had history classes in school?Is it true that you despise us? Why did you not stand for the independence of Ukraine in your city?Is it true that participation in elections for you always was just a formality?Why did you not go to Russia, which is so ‘rich and fair’?

In total there where 96 questions formulated in Ivano-Frankivsk which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Ivano-Frankivsk


Lutsk(06.04.2015)


Why do you believe so much in everything that is given by the media?

Is it true that many people in the East do not understand Ukrainian language?

Is it true that many residents from Donbas do not consider themselves to be Ukrainian?

Why do you hate Western Ukrainians so much?Why do you not wish to protect your city?

In total there where 37 questions formulated in Lutsk which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Lutsk


RESULTS: Eastern Ukraine


Dnipropetrovsk (06.03.2015)


Why did you choose ‘Russian world’? Why did you not fight against?Is it true that your people believe that we are fascists? Why did you no protect your city from the pro-Russian bandits? Is it really true that you are from Donbas? IT does not seems like that, since you are just like me

In total there where 14 questions formulated in Dnipropetrovsk which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Dnipropetrovsk


Kharkiv (17.02.2015)


Is it true that many of you believe that ‘Maidan’ equals to nationalism? Is it true that at your place people do not believe in St. Nicholas? Is it true that you wanted to be in Russia? And why then did you come to Ukraine? Is it true that you are looking for excuses so that you do not have to work? Is it true that you believe that Ukrainian language is not a real language but is made up – just a dialect?

In total there where 40 questions formulated in Dnipropetrovsk which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Kharkiv


RESULTS: Cities that are close to the territory which is

controlled by the pro-Russian separatists


Izmail (15.04.2015)


Why is that you let the war into your home? Why those who sympathise with Russia are staying in the territory of Ukraine?

Is it true that in Lugansk and Donetsk regions there are very few Ukrainian patriots?

Is it true that the half of the Lugansk’s population do not understand the Ukrainian language?

In total there where 27 questions formulated in Izmail which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Melitopol (16.02.2015)


Have you see the Burratino? Why did you allow such terror to happen?

Why did you not support the revolution of honour?The majority of Donbas wants the ‘Russian world’? Why do you not love Ukraine?When everything ends will you return to your home or will you stay in Ukraine? Is it true that everyone at your place work in the coalmines?

In total there where 69 questions formulated in Melitopol which contain hidden stereotypes towards the IDPs


Guided small discussion event researching stereotypes in Melitopol


CONCLUSIONS


Analysis and categorization of the stereotypes towards the IDPs into blocks

“are alien by spirit and have negative attitude towards others

”

“are brainwashed, believe in myths and are influenced by the

propaganda”

“do not respect Ukrainian language, culture,

values ”“are the bearers of the enemy’s

values”

“are responsible for the outbreak of war

and refuse to participate in the anti-terroristic operation”

“morally and physically support the enemy”

After careful analysis of the questions that were formulated by the participants of the small guided discussion groups, we have clustered the stereotypes into 6 main blocks:


Block 1: “are alien by spirit and have negative attitude towards others”

“are ‘alien by sprit’ to the cities that have accepted them” “do not want to work” “cannot integrate due to their different perceptions” “have a negative (haughtily/aggressive) attitude towards the local residents” “parasitize, believe that everyone owes them” “are more wealthy then the rest of the population – are spoiled by the previous

regime”


“believe that Ukraine has been captured by fascists “ “believe in myths about the ‘frightful Bandera people’” “believe the Russian TV and media” “are convinced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been shooting their cities

down” “are of conviction that people from the East are being hunted because of use of

the Russian language”

Block 2: “are brainwashed, believe in myths and are influenced by the

propaganda”


“have negative attitude towards the Ukrainian language – symbol of national identity”

“are not paying respect to the symbols of Ukrainian identity such as a passport and the Ukrainian flag”

“are against the Ukrainian values: history, literature, Christian ethic and views” “did not support the Revolution of Dignity” “do not support the Ukrainian Armed Forces”

Block 3:

“do not respect Ukrainian language, culture, values”


“believe in ‘the Russian world’ and its values” “want separation from Ukraine” “wish for a unification with Russia” “wish to get back to the USSR, have nostalgic feelings for Lenin and Stalin” “are against the integration with the European Union ”

Block 4: “are the bearers of the enemy’s values”


“are to blamed for the annexation of Crimea and the beginning of the armed conflict in Donbas due to passiveness”

“did not wish to defend their cities” “do not wish take part in the Anti Terroristic Operation” “do not plan to go back to their homes”

Block 5: “are responsible for the outbreak of war and refuse to participate in

the anti-terroristic operation”


“support Putin” “support the self-proclaimed republics of Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR)

and Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR)” “take part in the armed conflict on the side of the separatists ”

Block 6: “morally and physically support the enemy”


Set of interviews with the regional experts from the Central, Western and Eastern Ukraine about the intercultural tension within the society, stereotypes

towards the internally displaced people and the effective methods on how to debunk the existing stereotypes

Research period: 1 February – 30 April 2015

Our interviewees were selected regional experts that directly work with IDPs on the local levels in the Ukrainian regions

Interviews were focused on intercultural tension and stereotypes towards the IDPs


Olga Kadysheva: activist of the voluntary organization “Station Kharkiv”, psychologist, coordinates an anonymous hot line

“People who are consumers of someone's mercy for a long time, cause irritation...

There is a need to re-establish social ties but also to seek shelter, work, get children back to education and to create new social contacts. This all takes up a lot of time. Here we have to take into account the forced nature for migration, people did not prepare for relocation and have lost a lot back home...

A lot of people were faced with discrimination following the origin principle ‘Where are you from?’. Many have been refused service just because of the simple fact that they come from Donbas.

But the main view is that Kharkiv has the most tolerant atmosphere and psychologically it is better to stay here since there is not disrespectful treatment” ⁴³


Lesya Aronets:coordinator of the regional office for IDPs in Ivano-Frankivsk

“If in our regions prevails small entrepreneurship and self-employment, in the East prevail large enterprises. Such specialities like metallurgy or miner are simply not in demand on the territory of our region.

Some people have well-developed communication qualities and it will take them just one day to have friends around, but some people need half a year for this step, to for instance say ‘hello’ to the neighbours. Some lock themselves up with their own pain, and go around mourning that everyone owes them something. We must move away from clichés and seek an individual approach to everyone while look for ways to reduce stress and help people to socialize.

We had many activities aiming to expose the residents of the East to our traditions. So they would understand our mentality and start to fall in love with our region just like we love it” ⁴⁴


Maryna Konovalchuk:Psychologist, Director of Institute for gifted children in Chernihiv

“Adolescents have a tendency to copy behaviour which also include stereotypes and aggression. I have been working with children who have been called names in classrooms like "separatists" ... for instance a girl, who had played a game “Those who do not jump – are Muscovites”.

I have heard from internally displaced persons that their relatives advised them not to move here – since allegedly they would be diminished here. Part of people that had negative attitudes still remain having them. There are phrases to be heard “So what, they could always flee back”. In contrast to this, there is a part that has a very tolerant attitude. The rest is somehow in-between the two. This is a unstable and vulnerable group which are hence very sensitive towards the messages in the media.

Good adaptation it seems to be for people who say “I came to my home place, this is my country”. Best adaptation practices show those who are open to the rest of people and are willing to help the others as well” ⁴⁵


PROJECT “Promoting dialogue and reconciliation in the

Ukrainian regions”

This project is aiming to develop intercultural dialogue and promote reconciliation on the regional levels. Research practices were combined with practical debunking of the emerging stereotypes concerning the internally displaced people in Ukraine

This project was realized by Literature group STAN (Lugansk), together with social initiative “Cultural Dialogue” (Kremenchuk) supported by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Embassy of the United States in Ukraine trough the Democracy Grants Program

(Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the participants of the project and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. government)


Research team

Yaroslav Minkin

-project

coordinator

Anna Ostafiychuk

-researcher

Svitlana Oslavska

-media

monitor

Konstantin Skorkin

-analyst


Our regional partners

Center of humanitarian technologies «AKHALAR» (Chernigiv)Central city library named after Michailo Kotsubinky (Chernigiv)

NGO «Kultura Medialna» (Dnipropetrovsk)NGO «Young Enlightenment» (Ivano-Frankivsk)

Internet portal «UFRA» (Ivano-Frankivsk)Center for culture and arts (Kharkiv)

Department of tourist and city promotion and the department of cultural of the Lutsk city council (Lutsk)

Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European national university of the (Lutsk)Intercultural Karaim museum«Cale» (Melitopol)

Bogdan Khmelnisky state pedagogical university (Melitopol)Department of Cultural of the Vinnitsya city council (Vinnitsya)

Літературне угруповання «СТАН» 2015

CONTACT US

You can contact the authors of this research via

[email protected]

Or find us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/lgstan

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.facebook.com/lgstan


REFERENCES


1. P. Gatrell. A Whole Empire Walking: Refugees in Russia during World War I. Indiana University Press, 19992. K. Skorkin. Age of exile, forced migration: historical perspective in Ukraine, 20153. IDMC. The Global Overview 2015: internally displaced people by conflict and violence in 20144. UNHCR. Internal Displacement Statistics in Ukraine, 14.08.20155. Online publications 05366.com.ua. "Police of Kremenchug is planning to locate each unregistered immigrant from Donbas" 08/19/20146. Newspaper "Journal of Kremenchug." "The police will check Kremenchuk citizens from the East" 08/19/20147. Online edition 05366.com.ua. "Only 10% IDPs, residing in Poltava are willing to vote" 10/22/20148. "Telegraph". "Large stir: police check in Kremenchug unregistered citizens from Donbas" 08/19/20149. Public Television Kremenchug. "Communal trash: apartment block on Tolstoy street, 36 "07/19/201410. Newspaper "High Val." "Lugansk refugees as nomadic Mongol yoke" 12/12/201411. Online edition Gorod.cn.ua. "IDPs with the East do not live in communal houses" 02/07/201412. Online edition Gorod.cn.ua. Election games "as a lustration" is turning into yet another “Military pot" - only from the rear"09/09/201413. Online edition Gorod.cn.ua. "apartment owners in Chernigov are refusing to rent out the flats to Donetsk’s people" 07/31/2014


14. Newspaper "High Val" "She sheltered a serpent near the heart" 09/30/201415. Chernigiv ODTRK. "Demographic Statistics in Chernihiv are supported by the relatives of the IDPs from Lugansk and Donetsk regions"16. Newspaper "High Val" "She sheltered a serpent near the heart" 09/30/201417. Online edition "20 minutes." "The war in the sandbox: will IDPs’ children make friends with the local residents" 08/19/201418. Online edition "20 minutes" "The war in the sandbox: will IDPs’ children make friends with the local residents" 08/19/201419. Online edition "20 minutes" "Vinnytsia region has registered 5265 refugees from the ATO zone " 10/30/201420. Online edition "20 minutes." "The war in the sandbox: will IDPs’ children make friends with the local residents" 08/19/201421. ODTRK "Carpathians". "Children from the East will be taken into kindergartens without any queue" 07/17/201422. Online edition Kurs.if.ua. 07/23/201423. ODTRK "Carpathians" "Ruslana Lyzhychko: we have to understand the atmosphere between the IDPs and those who take them up" 07/21/201424. Online edition Kurs.if.ua. "In the Pre- Carpathian region IDPs are refusing to register at the local military commissariats" 07/24/201425. Newspaper "Galician correspondent" "Pre-Carpathians do not understand why male immigrants from the east do not mobilize " 01/08/201426. Newspaper "Galician correspondent" "His home among strangers" in December 201427. Newspaper "Galician correspondent" "For peace in the inner world" 10/31/201


28. The publication "Volynpost" "Due to immigrants from Donbas the situation with HIV / AIDS is deteriorated." 11/21/201429. Publication of "Public. Volyn". "In war - better than at home." 05/09/201430. Publication of "Public. Volyn". "Law enforcement officers told about the details of beheading in Lutsk: such has not been seen since the 90's." 08/12/201431. The publication "Volynpost" "Volyn writer said, who beated him." 02/08/201432. "Volyn Newspaper". "In the classroom – just as at a minefield." n.d.33. news "Volyn news." "In Volyn fear of terror attacks by suspicious settlers." 05/08/201434. news "Volyn news." "In Lutsk offer to form a work army out of IDPs." 08/18/201435. Dozor.kharkov.ua. "IDPs from the ATO zone taking up jobs as taxi drivers" 08/12/201436. The newspaper "Evening Kharkov". "IDPs are in need of Russian-Ukrainian dictionaries." 10/11/201437. The newspaper "Evening Kharkov". "What do the Kharkiv institutions need for IDPs" 01/09/201437. The newspaper "Evening Kharkov". "What do the Kharkov’s territorial institution need for immigrants." 01/09/201438. Online edition 056.ua. "Temporarily or permanently? How and where to are the Ukrainians forced to leave their homes"11/16/201439. Channel 34.ua. Program "Look." 11/20/201440. Online edition 056.ua. "Under the escort." 08/17/201441. Gorod.dp.ua. "To Dnepropetrovsk together with IDPs also come crooks." 07/18/2014


42. http://www.slideshare.net/ssuserb54f54/intercultural-discussion-in-kremenchuk-analitical-report 43. The Internet portal «UFRA». "In Kharkov, a huge wave of sympathy and aid" 03/12/201544. The Internet portal «UFRA». "You cannot live by clichés" 02/02/201545. The Internet portal «UFRA». "The best feel those who help others" 04/27/2015

All photos in this presentation are made by Yaroslav Minkin The pictures from slides 3 and 13 are made by Anastasia Rozhkova

http://www.slideshare.net/ssuserb54f54/intercultural-discussion-in-kremenchuk-analitical-report

http://www.slideshare.net/ssuserb54f54/intercultural-discussion-in-kremenchuk-analitical-report

analytical report of the examined stereotypes about idps in ukraine

Data & Analytics