PERSPECTIVE Diversity and Tolerance Issues in Ukraine: The Year 2012 and Beyond Mridula GHOSH May 2012  In 2012, successful co-hosting of the European Football Championship in June and free and fair conducting of the October parliamentary elections are both historical landmarks that will determine the readiness of Ukraine as a democratic European state, capable of upholding values of diversity, tolerance and intercultural dialogue and enhance its eligibility for an association agreement with the European Union.  The daunting task during this period for all stakeholders is to adhere to democratic standards, human rights, reasonable living standards for people, transparency in an atmosphere of socio-economic crisis and to cope with inequality and a related rise in regional intolerance, right-wing extremism and populist politics.  Mere formalistic approaches of existing good framework legislation are not enough for a rule of law state. A fully functional system of reward and retribution, checks and balances should be implemented to advance equal opportunities and social capital.  Bridging the gap between state and civil society, building alliances for dialogue among academic circles especially in the pre-election period is important to prevent polarization, intolerance and hate speech on issues of history.  The role of the international and the European community is crucial in helping political forces, media and civil society to reach consensus on the inadmissibility of right-wing extremists to mainstream politics.