With the outcome of one of the most important elections in Europe still unknown, the Ukrainian Society at Penn hosted an open forum last night to discuss the possible global implications of the contested Ukrainian election.
The panel of professors discussed the current battle between opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yuschenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in light of its historical, social and political pressures.
Though Yanukovych beat Yuschenko in a Nov. 21 run-off vote, the Ukrainian Supreme Court ruled for a Dec. 26 revote after suspicion of fraud surfaced. In response, Yuschenko's supporters have gathered in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and declared an "Orange Revolution." Orange is Yuschenko's official campaign color.
During last night's session, entitled "Electing a President: Causes and Consequences of the Orange Revolution," all panelists agreed Yuschenko will most effectively provide the stable leadership that Ukraine requires.
"He has inspired confidence across the board in all the people he has met in Ukraine or abroad," Swarthmore Physics Professor Emeritus Oleksa Bilaniuk said. "In contrast to other politicians from Eastern Europe ... he is probably the only politician that people will say is honest."
According to Political Science Professor Henry Teune, the consequences of the pending election will extend beyond the Ukrainian borders. If Yuschenko wins, he will strengthen Ukraine's position in the world, Teune said.
"It is very important, not just for Ukraine, but for America, Europe and the world in general," Teune said. "This will be a victory for democracies worldwide. It is more important than the election in Afghanistan or the outcome of the elections in Iraq."
Though the effect of the election will penetrate borders, archeologist and historian Oleksa Symonenko said a Yuschenko victory will reflect the drive of the Ukrainian people to invoke governmental change.
"The law of Moses and 40 years in the desert has worked," he said, referencing the biblical story. "A new generation [arose], and these are the people who are taking the streets."
The panelists spoke of Yuschenko's future victory confidently yet remained weary of further corruption in the political system. Yuschenko has already survived an attempted poisoning.
"I just hope and pray that Yuschenko [survives] -- I don't want to say it -- I hope nothing happens to him," La Salle Professor Emeritus Leo Rudnytzky said.
As long as the protesters remain in Kiev, activists at Penn will continue to promote the cause as well.
College junior and Secretary of the Ukrainian Society at Penn Nataliya Biskup said it is the Ukrainian Society's duty to keep students informed of the country's political situation. Last night's forum marked one step in the process.
"I think it went very well," Biskup said. "I actually learned a lot myself.
