History

Ukrainian non-profit “Peace and Development Foundation” was established in July 2016 in Kyiv, Ukraine and American in October 2021 in Houston, Texas. But our history begins much earlier.

In 2011 (the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence) two civil society movements were launched in order to create new “fair play” rules in the post-Soviet society.

In March 2011 leaders of three large Christian professional associations (young medics, lawyers, journalists) signed a memorandum to form “The Alliance of Christian Professionals”. In December 2011 leading Ukrainian intellectuals, prominent scholars, and moral authorities established “The First of December Initiative Group”.

In 2012 the “Ukrainian Charter of the Free Person” was introduced in order to express the Group’s views on the directions of life for Ukrainian society and give a push towards unification of all those who want to make life in Ukraine and its immediate neighborhood decent and comfortable.

Members of “The First of December Initiative Group” supported and participated in a number of events organized by “The Alliance of Christian Professionals” to promote the priority of ethical and spiritual values over materialist thinking, mutual struggle and the lust for accumulation.

These negative ideas prevailed in post-communist society and became mass norms of social behavior. They caused serious social distortion: moral virtues were associated with being a loser, the justice system was increasingly equated with corruption and the law of force, criminalization of society has increased, the gap between rich and poor has widened.

This has led to the atomization of society and has distorted human relations, as well as alienating the political authorities from the people, and decline of the state altogether.

Through spiritual transformation, educational projects, humanitarian activities we aim to help Ukrainian people and make our country a better place to live. We invested efforts and resources in raising young leaders who practice in their industry with high expertise and integrity.

When the large-scale Russian invasion to Ukraine began February 24, 2022, we started fundraising for critically needed medical supplies, humanitarian aid, transport and shelter for evacuees from the war zone, and afterwards to offer them job or study placement assistance so they can provide for themselves and their families.

In this way we contribute to meeting critical needs now and rebuilding Ukraine in the future - see our stories on RISU website.