Yorkton City Councillor Randy Goulden recently spent a week in Ukraine talking to municipal officials in that country on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
The trip was arranged through Partnership for Local Economic Development and Democratic Governance Program (PLEDDG) between FCM and Ukraine. The program aims to strengthen Ukraine’s municipal sector by increasing capacities in sixteen cities to advance local democracy and economic development. The project will also create an atmosphere enabling local environment for small/medium business and local economic development (LED), support the development of new related services in the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and disseminate project knowledge and experience with all Ukrainian cities.
The project is also designed to create an effective democratic governance and economic development at the local level that contributes to democracy, sustainable communities and long-term social and economic growth and prosperity in Ukraine. More specifically, the project’s expected results include: Strengthen local governance and management practices are advancing democracy and enabling innovative, sustainable economic development at the local level; Enhanced business-friendly, local government policies, partnerships and services are attracting, retaining and increasing the productivity and voice of small/medium enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on women entrepreneurs and; A more enabling inclusive support system is helping build sustainable economic foundations in Ukraine.
Goulden said her presentations, visiting three cities in a week, focused on women-friendly cities: safety, comfort and inclusion, the experience from Yorkton, and then a second presentation on gender equality as a means of democratic governance.
Goulden said when it comes to cities in Ukraine money is a constraining factor. They do not raise funds through local property taxes, but instead are given money from the central government to provide specified programming.
“They were very interested in hearing about some of the things that we do that are cost-effective,” she said, adding “they are very concerned about safety.”
Goulden said their safety issues begin with the age of their cities. The cores of Ukraine cities are century’s old, meaning streets are narrow. She said when vehicles meet one has to actually pull over to allow the other by.
When it comes to parking, cars just pull over onto the sidewalk.
Older streets are also often cobblestone that now is very rough.
The combination of rough streets and traffic issues make something as simple as riding a bicycle to work, or going out with a baby stroller, being issues of safety, offered Goulden.
Goulden said she gained a new perspective on the importance of local legislation such as Yorkton’s Zoning Bylaw after visiting Ukraine.
“You don’t understand the importance of it until you see a country that has none of it,” she said.
Goulden said the general safety of Canada and Yorkton came into focus as she returned, driving into the city late on a good highway and being greeted by well-lit, safe city streets.
Goulden said she talked a lot about local resources which are not necessarily municipally operated, but are seen as partners in providing services, including SIGN and the Family Resource Centre in Yorkton.
Councils have to be able to work with service clubs and non-governmental organizations to provide many services, she said, adding at was certainly part of her message in Ukraine.
When it comes to women being included in governance, Goulden noted city councils in Ukraine are quite a bit different, with 30 to 40 people sitting on them.
Goulden said the talks actually dovetailed with her own efforts locally here in Yorkton.
On a semi-regular basis Goulden said she has lunch meetings with women to discuss topics such as health care and women entrepreneurs to better understand issues being faced by women so that she can be an informed voice on Yorkton Council.
Beyond the official workshops, Goulden said she made some interesting contacts.
“When I was in Kiev I had an opportunity to meet Canadian Ambassador Roman Waschuk,” she said, adding that door was opened in part because Yorkton hosted the Ukraine Ambassador last year.
“They (the embassy) are looking for some partners for what the Canadian government is doing in Ukraine,” she said, adding she will now be setting up meeting with local manufacturers, and organizations such as Parkland College to perhaps facilitate some Yorkton-area involvement.
In terms of agriculture, Goulden said Ukraine is not as modern as Canada, but they are seeking smaller, often used, equipment, which fits their needs.
Then while in Lviv at a workshop she met a Rotarian from that city. As a member of Rotary in Yorkton, Goulden said, “We may be looking at a sister chapter.”
Goulden said it was certainly a chance to learn as much as she provided in her talks.
“You go over there to provide some assistance, but you bring back a lot more,” she said.
