Sviatoslav VAKARCHUK

Sviatoslav Vakarchuk is a social activist and lead vocalist for Okean Elzy, the most successful rock band in Ukraine. As an activist, Sviatoslav supported the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. Sviatoslav is founder of the non-profit organization “Lyudi Maybutnyogo” (People of the Future). People of the Future’s programs include: “Knyga Tvoryt’ Lyudynu” (A Book Creates A Man), “Osvita Krainoyu” (The Country’s Education), “3-D Proekt. Dumay, Diy, Dopomogai.” (3-D Project. Think, Act, Help.). Alongside members of his band, he actively supported MTV and the UN International Organization for Migration’s campaign “People Are Not For Sale.” In 2003, Sviatoslav became an Honorary Ambassador of Culture in Ukraine. In 2005 he was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Development Program and became a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Expression and Information. In September 2008, he renounced his seat in the Verkhovna Rada party due to a corrupt political climate.
In 2015 Sviatoslav Vakarchuk became Yale World Fellow. The program is designed for mid-career professional with a significant record of achievements. During 2015-2016 Sviatoslav Vakarchuk had a several meetings and lectures at the biggest Universities, such as University of California Berkeley, Fordham University, Columbia University, Harvard University. In 2015 Sviatoslav has been declared as the the most active Ukrainian philanthropist.
In May 2015 Sviatoslav Vakarchuk became one of the founders of the Centre for Economic Strategy (CES), an independent policy think tank aimed at supporting reforms in Ukraine in order to achieve sustainable economic growth. As a member of CES Supervisory Board Sviatoslav makes his contribution into determining CES development strategy, approving key research areas, and evaluating CES work. In 2016 Sviatoslav inspired and moderated CES panel discussion on “What Ukraine must do to make it this time” within AlfaJazzFest. According to him, such a panel discussion aims to become an annual event and is focused on searching for answers to the most striking, painful, interesting and important questions that Ukraine faces in politics, economics, culture, and other issues.
Sviatoslav regularly attends various international conferences and summits where he actively supports the strengthening of relationships between Ukraine and European community. Sviatoslav Vakarchuk has featured highly for many years among the most famous and influential people in Ukraine.