The USAID RADA: Next Generation Program facilitates cooperation between the VRU Education Center and the UK Parliamentary Education Center and, together with the American Councils for International Education, supported the participation of a Ukrainian delegation in a training program for teachers held on June 26-28, which the UK Parliamentary Education Center conducted as part of the Parliamentary Ambassadors Program.
The Program supports the Education Center of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in integrating into the global community of educational centers and visitor centers for parliaments, sharing experiences, and building partnerships for joint projects and interparliamentary dialogue.
The Parliamentary Ambassadors Program is a unique opportunity for teachers to become accredited partner of the UK Parliamentary Education Center. The program includes a 3-day training in Parliament, fully funded and open to all teachers in the UK. Twice a year, 60 teachers nationwide have a unique opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills in teaching topics such as democracy and active citizenship. During the training, participants learn how to effectively communicate to students and colleagues about the UK Parliament and how to participate in its work actively.
For three days, the participants had the opportunity to meet with the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Lords, Members of Parliament, representatives of the Secretariat, attend meetings of both chambers, learn about the work of the Education Center and its resources, receive methodological recommendations, and familiarize themselves with the tools for engaging citizens in the Parliament work. Program Alums of previous years and active participants of the Parliamentary Ambassadors Program also shared their experience with teachers and students.
Since its establishment in 2006, the UK Parliamentary Education Center has trained over 1,500 teachers from across the country who are now spreading civic education to teachers and students.
After completing the program, teachers are required to disseminate the knowledge they have gained to their students and colleagues. If these conditions are met, teachers are awarded the title of parliamentary ambassador. At the same time, ambassadors have to report their achievements periodically. The most successful ones become golden ambassadors (the gradation starts with bronze).
Learning the best international practices of education centers' work, in particular, the activities of the Teacher Ambassadors Program in the UK Parliament, will allow us to find best solutions for launching a similar program in the Parliament of Ukraine.
The USAID RADA: Next Generation Program has been consistently supporting the VRU Education Center and its capacity development. In April, the Program, with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy facilitation, organized a study visit to the UK Parliamentary Education Center. Hence, participation in this event ensures the sustainability of cooperation.