1.Purpose of the present UUPN Strategy:
This strategy paper has been worked out to provide a framework for further activity and development of the Association of Ukrainian Alumni of British Universities (further referred to as UUPN members), and other "adjacent" groups of Ukrainian and British citizens, whose interests lie in the area of strengthening links and partnerships between Ukrainian and British educational and professional training institutions, as well as the relevant intellectual, business and cooperation promoting centres.
Primary stakeholders in the implementation of this strategy are:
- UUPN members,
- the British Council in Ukraine,
- the British Embassy in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the present strategy may provide an effective basis for cooperation with other interested parties, such as:
- various UK and Ukrainian professional and business communities, think-tanks;
- the British - Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce;
- potential sponsors and supporters;
- UK and Ukrainian universities and training centres;
- individuals with an interest in and commitment to developing Ukrainian - UK relations;
- as well as British universities alumni world-wide, and, especially, in the neighbouring to Ukraine countries.
2. UUPN Status and Structure:
2.1 Definition of UUPN
UK–Ukraine Professional Network (UUPN) is a network of professionals, citizens of Ukraine, who have been to the UK under any educational, training or professional development schemes, under the auspices of the British Council, the British Embassy, other British donors and sponsors, or self-financed.
UUPN would also accept to its membership the Ukrainian citizens, who have strong commitment to the development of Ukraine – UK relations, and with this aim attended university studies and international conferences in the UK, or strive to visit the UK for business, educational, training and professional development purposes since having established firm partnership ties within the UK.
British and other nationals, who share the UUPN commitments and aims, and any donors, sponsors or UUPN promoters, who have made a significant contribution to its development and reputation, may be affiliated to UUPN as Honorary Members.
UUPN has two British patrons – the British Ambassador in Ukraine, and the Director of the British Council – Ukraine, and one Ukrainian patron – the Ukrainian Ambassador in the UK.
2.2 UUPN organizational Status and Structure:
a) UUPN currently is an informal voluntary association of Ukrainian citizens acting in cooperation with their British partners under the auspices and with the support of the British Council, Ukraine;
b) the framework for the British Council support for UUPN institutionalisation and further
management (including the availability and role of the British patrons of UUPN), shall be defined in partnership with the UUPN and the British Council, Ukraine;
c) at further stages of its development, UUPN may create form partnerships with other Ukrainian and British non-governmental organisations, and set up or become a member of an international organisation of alumni of British universities (to become a Ukrainian branch of an international organisation).
The address of UUPN is: c/o British Council – Ukraine.
2.3 Temporary Management Structure:
After July 2002 UUPN General Conference, UUPN has been managed by the Strategic Planning and Development Team (SPDT), led by two Co-Chairmen, Professor Valentin Yakushik, and Mr. Valery Yevstifeev, Financial section Coordinator.
The SPDT members are: Mr Andriy Chuprikov (Business section), Professor Nadia Bilko (Science section), Ms Natalia Chudnovska (Education section), Ms Lyudmyla Gumenyuk (Media section), Mr Andriy Anin (Business and Media section), Mr Bohdan Tymkovych (Governance section), Dr Vasyl Marmasov (Law section). In addition, the UUPN volunteers: Mr Volodymyr Kartavtsev, Mr Leonid Yurevich, Ms Lyudmyla Smirnova, Dr Olena Lazorenko, Ms Nataliya Martynenko assist actively in the SPDT work.
The major aims of SPDT have been to develop a new strategy for UUPN. That presupposed the following types of work:
a) analysing an existing UUPN experience and learning an experience of other organizations dealing with alumni;
b) working out the basics of UUPN Strategy Paper;
c) working out the current activities and development policy for UUPN including:
- looking for resources (grants);
- searching for a strategic sponsor;
- defining available resources provided by the British Council and by UUPN members.
The Strategic Planning and Development Team (SPDT) will perform as a temporary management board until the next elections at a UUPN Annual Conference.
2.4 Future UUPN Management Structure will comprise:
- UUPN General Conference held annually;
- On-Line Forum maintained permanently through the Internet (the voting principle for On-Line Forum will be: voted "contra" should be clearly explained, and unvoted "contra" would be assumed as voted "pro");
- UUPN Management Board led by two Co-Chairmen and should include Regional Coordinators, Coordinator at the British Council, Public Relations Manager/Editor. The roles and functions of other Board members, as well as their number, shall be defined and reviewed at the Board meetings. The Board structure will be confirmed or reviewed regularly at the Annual General Conferences. The Board will report to the UUPN Annual General Conference.
- Regional Coordinators;
- Coordinator in the British Council;
- Treasurer/Accountant;
- Web-site Operator;
- Web-site, Press and Public Relations Manager/Editor.
3. Contemporary Context and the Prospects for UUPN further development:
3.1 Context:
UUPN appreciates comprehensive active support and recognition on a part of the British Council and the British Embassy in Ukraine, and is considered by them as one of important partners in view of implementation of this strategy.
UUPN enjoys comprehensive active support and recognition on a part of the British Council in Ukraine, and is considered by it as one of important partners in view of implementation of this strategy. The British Council in Ukraine recognizes, that alumni are a key group of contacts for their delivery of a UK cultural diplomacy strategy in Ukraine, especially, regarding the promotion of UK educational opportunities through their own experience.
UUPN is cooperating with other Ukrainian alumni organisation of foreign universities, and may become a focus of attraction for the alumni of other European universities.
3.2 Stages of UUPN development (in different internal and outer environmental contexts)
a) Initial institutionalisation stage (June 1999-June 2002) is over. (There is membership; database; sections; coordinators; web-site; British Council support is available; publishing newsletter etc.).
b) Current transitional stage (Strategic Planning and Development Team formed; research and relevant working meetings; working out of strategy; new contacts; search for organizational, motivational and resources solutions).
c) Real institutionalisation (defining formal connection to the British Council, defining initial resources; creating a system of stable and transparent UUPN budget, and principles of attracting resources; creating regional structures; maintaining effective networking system via web-site; publishing the presentation information about UUPN etc.; establishing and developing contacts with British Council alumni organizations in other countries).
d) Consolidation stage - gradual taking roots of UUPN in Ukrainian society and effective entering into the global network of British Council alumni organizations.
4. UUPN Objectives and Functions:
4.1 UUPN Objectives for the Alumni:
- to keep in touch with the UK;
- to receive assistance in developing careers;
- to establish and to maintain professional links and potential business relationships within Ukraine and in the UK;
- to assist its members in professional networking and development, information exchange,
business cooperation and mutual support;
- to serve as a gateway for informing UUPN members on recent developments and the best
professional practice in the UK;
- to promote direct contacts and networking with similar British alumni associations
globally, with professional and social networks operating in Ukraine, the UK and other
countries;
- to represent and to lobby its members' interests in dealing with Ukrainian, British and/or
international organisations and funds in Ukraine or abroad, while seeking partnership links;
- to be the part of Ukraine - UK professional and social networks, and global networks developed and maintained by and/or accessible via the British Council;
- to sponsor new professional and cultural initiatives of its members and to give space to their voice to forge the virtues of civil society and to extend the binding ethos of the UPPN community;
- to represent a lively forum of young and mid-career professionals within its members, who are motivated and proactively thinking people, and to see their aims as getting things done.
4.2 UUPN Objectives for the British Council and the British institutions in general:
- to develop a valuable network of professional and business contacts to promote Ukrainian – UK relations;
- to perform as a marketing and promotion assistance to UK companies and other non-political organisations operating in Ukraine;
- to maintain personal links in the UK in order to act as a resource for introductions and advice;
- to assist in developing a club of individuals, who will promote the UK and UK education;
- to assist in the shaping the positive image of the UK within Ukraine, and to promote effective British-Ukrainian cooperation.
4.3 UUPN Operating Tools (Activities):
To achieve the above stated objectives, UUPN shall:
- maintain cooperation with the British Embassy, the British Council and the British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine;
- develop and improve membership database available on its dedicated website;
- promote itself to British business, educational, scientific, financial, legal and other professional organisations operating in Ukraine and the UK;
- search for additional financial resources, seek and encourage corporate and private sponsorship, develop its own fund-raising activities and capacity.
4.3 UUPN major Functions:
(a) promoting and conducting targeted professional activities: workshops, seminars, trainings, conferences, exhibitions, etc.;
(b) "socialising" and informal lobbying (among the members of UUPN and the invited guests) the socialising events, and constructive informal work (e.g. as to constructing new projects and finding ways for better implementation of the ongoing activities), leisure events (e.g. visiting concerts, exhibitions etc.);
(c) utilising and developing the existing networks maintained or facilitated by the British
Council (predominantly but not exclusively, i.e. involving other institutions and professional bodies, supported by the British business and educational communities etc.): in Ukraine, in CIS, in UK, in EU and world-wide (and, in particular, in the Commonwealth countries);
(d) assisting to the reform process in Ukraine with research works, dissemination of expert opinions, practical reform actions, etc.);
(e) providing intellectual resources for the interested British bodies (British Council, business corporations, professional associations etc.) and individuals in conducting their projects.
5. UUPN current Activities:
a) developing UUPN action plan;
b) informal general UUPN members meetings, as club meetings ( at least once a month): meeting with the British Ambassador in Ukraine and other interesting VIPs; the New Year and other holiday parties etc.;
c) official (formal) meetings of UUPN (at least once in 6 months during the transitional period; later, once a year): discussion of the results of working out of the UUPN strategy; adoption of UUPN Statute and Strategy (after their wide discussion);
d) seminars and trainings within the Professional Sections;
e) providing traditional services via a web-site: informing about events, job opportunities; invitations to cultural events, etc.
6. Final Remarks:
There are thousands of NGOs in Ukraine, and, that is why, it is difficult to think about finding a worthy place for a new effective one, if it is not relying on a strong commitment of its members, and if it is not directly connected to the British Council.
The viability of the future UUPN depends upon 3 major factors:
a) availability of motivated leadership of UUPN that have a will and time for UUPN managing activities (it is necessary to find out the relevant strata within the British Council alumni);
b) preservation of formal and informal ties with the British Council;
c) availability of funding from various sources (British Council, other international donors, prosperous companies run by UUPN members, etc.).
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