A documentary film produced by the IOM mission in Ukraine on how a
talented young black Ukrainian dancer successfully tackles racial
prejudice and intolerance has won a contest organized by the
Franco-German TV channel ARTE and Ukraine's First National TV
Channel.

The film features Erik Vakiv who grew up in a Ukrainian
orphanage and rose to fame after taking part in the popular TV show
called "Everyone to the Dance Floor."

"Making this documentary allowed me to share my story and show
that one cannot be defined by social position or skin colour. What
is important is what is inside all of us. We all have talents and
it is only in sharing these with others that society can grow,"
says Vakiv.

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The film shows that despite facing prejudice and discrimination,
people of different ethnic origins can successfully integrate and
enrich Ukrainian society through their artistic abilities and their
innate humanity.

"My intention was to show how Erik remains positive, despite
prevailing prejudice and discrimination," says film director Serhii
Stepanskyi. "I'm delighted to see he has become an inspiration for
many young Ukrainians."

"The film puts a human face to migration and Erik's story is a
powerful example of the numerous and valuable contributions
migrants make to societies," says Manfred Profazi, IOM's Chief of
Mission in Ukraine. "It is only through tolerance and acceptance
that migrants can fully contribute their wealth of knowledge, ideas
and experiences to our societies."

IOM takes an active role in promoting cultural diversity in
Ukraine, most recently though the Diversity Initiative, which
brings together more than 40 organizations from the international,
civil, corporate, and government sectors, as well as diplomatic
missions and interested individuals.

The project was funded by the IOM 1035 Facility, which provides
funding to IOM developing Member States and Member States with
economies in transition to develop joint projects with governments
to address particular migration-related
activities   

The film was premiered during IOM Ukraine's "DiversARTy: The Art
of Living Together." IOM has a limited number of free copies of the
documentary "Erik" to give away.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Hanbury

IOM Kyiv

Tel: +38 044 568 50 15

E-mail: "mailto:mhanbury@iom.int">mhanbury@iom.int