DEVELOPMENT OF POLISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL DIRECTIONS IN UKRAINE FROM 1991 TO 2014

The article is dedicated to defining milestones and tendencies in the development of the Polish minority and identification of the key aspects of their participation in the socio-cultural and public processes in Ukraine since 1991. The basic illustration is provided of the level of development of civic maturity, political culture of the Polish community in Ukraine from 1991 to 2014. The main milestones and peculiarities are analyzed of the activity of public organizations of the Polish minority in Ukraine since the proclamation of Ukraine ’ s independence. The study is based on an analysis of the work of Polish NGOs, known events, actions and events that were organized and held in the context of meeting the cultural and educational needs of the Polish minority in Ukraine. The contribution of Polish public organizations to the development of Ukrainian-Polish relations is assessed. The main attention in the research is paid to the study of the spectrum of directions of interaction between the Polish minority of Ukraine and the Ukrainian society, the research of its participation and influence in the life of the Ukrainian society and the nature of interethnic relations. The analysis of processes is conducted in the context of cultural, socio-economic and political transformations in Ukraine from 1991 to the present times. The study has found that after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the withdrawal of Ukraine and Poland from the influence of communist ideology, a new page of Ukrainian-Polish intercultural cooperation began, a number of festivals, cultural and educational events were initiated, organized and held, a number of institutions, newspapers and magazines, media channels and educational institutions were established. Civil society in both countries has a major role to play in these processes. The author also traces the main achievements that arose in the process of fruitful work of public organizations of the Polish minority in Ukraine.