Julian Kondur
Year of birth: 1993
City of birth: Izmail, Ukraine
Origin: Kishinev Roma (Bessarabian Roma)
Education: Higher education (Lawyer, Master’s in Human Rights, International Relations). Graduated from the National Academy of Internal Affairs (Kyiv), Central European University (Budapest), and the University of Tartu (Estonia).
Main areas of activity: human rights protection and international advocacy, development of Roma youth and leadership, communication with government bodies and international institutions (UN, OSCE, Council of Europe).
Key contribution: a representative of the new generation of Roma leaders with an international education; a key figure at the International Fund “Chirikli,” responsible for international cooperation and strategic development; initiator of youth projects (“Football Against Racism,” a documentary film about the genocide); developed and conducted over 30 training sessions for the National Police of Ukraine on non-discrimination issues.
Impact: brought the communication of Ukrainian Roma organizations with international partners to a new level; became a role model for Roma youth, demonstrating the importance of international education; contributed to the professionalization of the Roma civil society movement; attracted a new wave of young activists to the sector, becoming a mentor to many.
“It is important not to focus solely on Roma issues, but to look broader. Of course, one needs to be well-versed in the topic of Roma… But we must not forget that this is also about the topic of minorities, and the topic of vulnerable groups in general.”
“I would like that in 20 years, we have a community of successful Roma entrepreneurs who would share their experience and help our community become stronger through economic development.”
Media
Biographical Information
Julian Kondur is a human rights defender, public figure, and a representative of the new generation of Roma leaders in Ukraine, combining a deep understanding of community problems with an international education and modern approaches to advocacy.
Early Years and Upbringing
Julian was born in Izmail to the family of prominent Roma activists Yulia and Anatoliy Kondur and is the youngest of six children. His childhood was inextricably linked to his parents’ community work: he grew up in the social center they created for Roma children, where he studied, danced, and played with other children. This experience shaped his ability to understand and feel the community’s problems from the inside.
The family always placed education as an absolute priority: all his brothers and sisters obtained higher education in the fields of law, pedagogy, and the arts. Julian himself, with his family’s support, chose the path of a human rights defender and received an excellent education at leading universities in Ukraine (National Academy of Internal Affairs), Hungary (Central European University), and Estonia (University of Tartu).
Becoming a Public Figure
His activism began in his teenage years by organizing “Football Against Racism” sports events. While studying at the university, he implemented his first independent project — creating a documentary video about the Roma genocide, for which he involved historians and worked with archival sources. This experience, though challenging, laid the foundation for his future professional activities.
After completing his studies and returning to Ukraine in 2018, he fully joined the work of the International Fund “Chirikli,” where he took responsibility for international cooperation, communication with partners, fundraising, and the strategic development of the organization.
Activities and Contributions
Julian Kondur became a key figure in the transformation of “Chirikli” into a powerful institution with a professional approach to advocacy. He established systematic work with international organizations (UN, OSCE, Council of Europe) and Ukrainian government bodies, including the Ombudsman’s Office.
One of the most important areas of his work was cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine. He developed and conducted over 30 training sessions for law enforcement officers on non-discrimination, conflict prevention, and the specifics of working with the Roma community, responding to a direct request from the police themselves.
As a new-generation leader, he actively attracted talented Roma youth to the non-governmental sector, turning “Chirikli” into a kind of “springboard” for many young activists who later continued their careers in other Ukrainian and international organizations.
Photo archive of the Zolotarenko family
