February 15th, 2014 <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What function does the open university perform at Maidan?<\/p>\n Education and literacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What role do you fulfill within the open university?<\/p>\n I am the co-coordinator. We have four co-coordinators here – we don’t have any head or chief or boss. We are absolutely equal, and I am one of them.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Are you in charge of the library here in Ukrainian House?<\/p>\n No, they are separate from us but we have some of the same speakers, so we share some speakers with them. The book center was started in our open university in Maidan when we have our own stage when it was near the gate, when it was on the Maidan physically.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where is it now?<\/p>\n We deconstructed it and moved it away.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And now it is here in Ukrainian House?<\/p>\n Yes, now we share the space here with other activities, for example: the student assembly, library, and the culture team so there are a lot of activities here right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you teach classes?<\/p>\n Usually there are lectures here, and we invite the best speakers. This initiative was started with graduates from Ukrainian business schools – we sat down and thought about what we can do for Maidan, to cut bread or wave flags – this is not very interesting. We speak to our teachers, the people who taught us. If they are ready to speak from the stage for free and show everybody there their civil attitude<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What sort of subjects are discussed by the speakers, typically?<\/p>\n Actually we try to cover three directions. The first one is our political and economic development – what will we do after the victory of Maidan? When we receive this country, it will probably not be in good shape, and what should we do? The second direction is civil society, and how do we develop it? The third one is absolutely practical, usable skills here on Maidan. For example, if a journalist comes to you and gives you a microphone and asks something – what should you do? Communication skills, presentation skills, protection skills, for example – first aid.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And self defense?<\/p>\n Actually, self-defense isn’t our core competence.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You just speak about it?<\/p>\n Yeah. These are the three main directions in our university. Actually, there were some lectures about the history of Ukraine, very interesting topics not connected to these three directions which are nevertheless interesting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you every approach politics in these lectures or do you try to stay neutral?<\/p>\n We try to stay neutral. There was only one case, when Oleh Rybachuk, the former head of president Yushchenko’s administration came to us, but he spoke absolutely about civil society – about Ukraine, our values and civil society. So, he wasn’t political here.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And all of these speeches you’re talking to people about what to do after Maidan is successful – do you ever approach how to act if Maidan does not succeed?<\/p>\n Actually, we believe in the best variant. No. We are thinking about it, but we are not discussing that here. For what purpose?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why is your open university important to Maidan?<\/p>\n A lot of people here in Ukraine need some education in my opinion . They are very proactive but they honestly don’t know what to do and some education could be helpful to widen their picture. This is very important.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Attendance has been good?<\/p>\n Of course, this is it right now, have a look (points to the full room of Ukrainian house – I had not realized a lecture was ongoing). Speaking now is one of the best marketing specialists in Ukraine – he is speaking about values and the future of Ukraine – why Ukraine can be interesting to the other world.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For – the United States, Europe?<\/p>\n Yeah, for the other world, for the West, for the East, maybe for Russia as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is a very neutral attitude, considering Russia has few fans here at Maidan.<\/p>\n I am from Karkhiv, 40 KM from Russian border.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, when I first arrived I met with a man from Karkhiv who showed me around and translated for me for a day or two.<\/p>\n
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\nWithin Kyiv’s Ukrainian House, the massive and old building occupied by Euromaidan demonstrators in late January, activity doesn’t stop. At any point the place could house hundreds of people watching movies, reading books at the makeshift library or listening in their seats as a lecture is given. These lectures are coordinated by Euromaidan’s “Open University”. Today I spoke to Alexander, one of the four coordinators of the project.<\/p>\n