Ukraine’s Parliament legislation activity at its plenary meeting on December 21, 2023
• Accession of Ukraine to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (#0214) • Ratification of the Agreement with the International Development Law Organization on the establishment of its representative office in Ukraine (#0230) • Ratification of the Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Korea on loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (#0235) Resolutions: • The appointment of 4 members of the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine • The formation of the VRU Temporary Special Commission on the protection of property and non-property rights of internally displaced persons and other persons affected by russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine (headed by P. Frolov) (#10213)
Laws in the second reading: • passed the draft law on medical cannabis (#7457) • consideration of priority areas for science and technology development and innovative activity (#10307)
Ukraine’s Parliament legislation activity at its plenary meeting on December 20, 2023
Resolutions:
• On the Prize of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for young scientists for 2022 (#10309)
• On the Annual prize of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to pedagogical workers of preschool, general secondary and vocational (technical) education institutions (#10310)
• On the Prize of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for the contribution of youth in the development of parliamentarism and local self-government for 2023 (#10112)
Draft laws in the first reading:
• Adopted the amendments to the Law on administrative procedure (#10161)
Laws in the second reading:
• consideration of the amendments to the draft law on medical cannabis (#7457)
Many MPs want to submit their credentials prematurely, the head of the Servant of the People faction Arahamia said
Davyd Arahamia, the head of the Servant of the People faction, revealed that many MPs want to submit their credentials early. Still, he emphasized the faction's stance against reducing deputy powers prematurely. Arakhamia stated that they insist on MPs fulfilling their term, asserting that it is essential for them to remain and enact necessary laws for the state until the end of the current Verkhovna Rada term. He acknowledged the impact of reducing the number of MPs on parliamentary activities. He proposed optimizing the Parliament's work by decreasing the minimum number of MPs in groups to maintain their structural functionality until the new convocation. As of December 11, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada has 400 deputies, below the mandated 450.
President Zelenskyi appointed Halyna Mykhailiuk as the President's representative in the Verkhovna Rada.
On December 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued Decree No. 823/2023, appointing Halyna Mykhailiuk as the President's representative in the Verkhovna Rada. This appointment comes as a replacement for the dismissed Fedir Venislavskyi. Halyna Mykhailiuk is an MP, a Servant of the People party member, deputy head of the VRU Committee on Law Enforcement, and co-chair of the VRU deputy groups on interparliamentary relations with Japan and Australia.
USAID RADA: Next Generation strengthens the capacities of the top management of the VRU Secretariat by enhancing their leadership skills.
On December 14-15, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat and RANG conducted a coaching session for the VRU staffers, "Effective leadership in the administrative management system." A two-day strategic session aims to improve the management skills of the parliamentary staffers to ensure an efficient law-making process. Viacheslav Shtuchnyi, Secretary General, Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Harald Dossi, Secretary General of the Austrian Parliament; and Ann Hopper, Deputy Director, Office of Democracy and Governance, USAID/Ukraine, delivered the welcoming remarks. The session focused on leadership, internal communication, and time management. This coaching session aimed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of leadership and managerial competencies, emphasizing administrative management, leadership styles, organizational culture, effective communication mechanisms, reputation management, and situational leadership. Participants had the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, particularly in handling conflicts, communicative interactions in uncertain conditions, time management, and self-improvement strategies.
USAID RADA: Next Generation promotes the unique experience of the Verkhovna Rada's work during the war in the international arena
The AGORA Portal for Parliamentary Development has published RANG's research on the Verkhovna Rada's work under wartime conditions. The empirical report covers the period from February 2022 to June 2023, offering key facts and quantitative indicators highlighting trends and features in legislative functions during wartime. AGORA is a hub under the INTER PARES project for over 3,000 documents used by academics, institutions, and parliamentary professionals. Publishing RANG's research on the AGORA portal aims to share the unique experience of the Verkhovna Rada's work under war conditions globally, making it a valuable resource for other parliaments and expert communities.
USAID RADA: Next Generation develops the partnership to help IDPs cope with the challenges of war.
On Wednesday, the 14th, RANG, in cooperation with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), met with MP Victoria's Hryb team. The meeting aims to assess the issues confronting citizens in the Hryb constituency (Lugansk region, Shchastya city) and formulate a green book, serving as the foundation for future legislative changes. The majority of voters are internally displaced persons because of war; the analysis will encompass the primary challenges they encountered during the full-scale invasion. The meeting seeks to establish terms, delineate RANG's support, and outline subsequent steps. The methodology proposed by RANG holds potential applicability to other constituencies.
USAID RADA: Next Generation enhances the communication capacities of the VRU Committees to improve cooperation between voters and MPs.
Throughout November and December, RANG conducted several meetings with representatives from the Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management and the Committee on Youth and Sports. The discussions focused on the current state of the Committees' communications with civil society and explored potential avenues for improvement. Drawing insights from these interactions, RANG experts will formulate recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of social network communications for VRU Committees.
USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitates international cooperation with Sweden through collaborative research on Ukraine's experience of war.
On December 11, RANG's research team held a meeting with researchers from the Swedish Defence University, who conducted a field study commissioned by the Swedish Government on priorities for Ukraine's resilience during wartime. The findings from this research will serve as the foundation for shaping Sweden's long-term assistance to Ukraine across various dimensions, including the sustainability and capacities of public institutions, decision-making processes, economic resilience, and resource management. During the meeting, RANG's team presented the Program's research, "Parliament under Conditions of War: Ukraine's Example," and articulated their perspective on priorities to enhance the sustainability and capacities of Ukraine's Parliament. RANG intends to collaborate with the Swedish Defence University and contribute to the Swedish Government's aid program for Ukraine as it takes shape.
USAID RADA: Next Generation assisted in the strategy building for effective development of Kyiv through decentralization.
On December 11, RANG experts participated in a roundtable discussion, "The Future of Kyiv: The City Bypassed by Decentralization," organized by MP Vitaliy Bezghin. The key topics included optimizing the Kyiv city management system through legislative amendments, the role of the Kyiv agglomeration in city development, and shared visions for Kyiv's future. The ideas shared at the event will be used to develop draft recommendations for legislation to improve the standards of living for Kyiv citizens.
USAID RADA: Next Generation strengthens the capacities of VRU Committees in strategic communication.
On December 12-14, RANG RANG organized a strategic communications training session for representatives of the Model Committees. Ten committee staff members and MP aides participated in the event to enhance their comprehension of strategic communications and its significance in parliamentary operations. The training covered approaches and offered practical tools for effective internal and external communication, showcasing successful communication practices.
USAID RADA: Next Generation cultivates parliamentary education: over 2000 children participated in lessons on parliamentarism and democracy.
On December 11-15, the Parliamentary Education Center (PEC), with the support of RANG and the American Councils (AC), organized 19 live lessons for school children, college, and university students in Kyiv. The lessons covered the functioning of the Ukrainian Parliament, the role of MPs, the legislative process, and the challenges faced by the Verkhovna Rada during wartime. Children received brochures with essential information about the VRU and the history of Ukrainian Parliamentarism. For college and university students, the focus was on major parliamentary education topics, including the VRU's structure and responsibilities, MPs' roles, legislative processes, and challenges during wartime. The second part involved students simulating a parliament plenary session, representing various roles such as coalition and opposition members, parliamentary committees, and international organizations like the UN and UNICEF. Interactive activities were facilitated using the Mentimeter platform for quizzes. Over five days, 2,041 schoolchildren and college and university students participated in 19 live lessons and events.
USAID RADA: Next Generation introduces new formats of parliamentary cooperation with youth for VRU Secretariat based on the experience of Austria’s parliament.
On December 13, RANG conducted a follow-up meeting with participants from the study visit to the Austrian Parliament (November 29 - December 1). The visit aimed to explore Austria's expertise in democracy-building, enhancing parliamentary transparency, citizen engagement, improving parliamentary communications, and developing civic education. During the follow-up meeting, participants acknowledged the efficiency of the study visit, highlighting Austria's exemplary model for citizen engagement and parliamentary civic education. They considered the Austrian Parliament's approach, particularly in working with children and youth, one of the best globally. This model will inspire the Ukrainian Parliament, influencing the establishment of its own Visitors Center, the development of the Education Center, and the introduction of new formats for engaging with children and youth. The VRU Secretariat has received a proposal from the Austrian side to establish a Democracy Workshop in the VRU, following the Austrian Parliament's model. The VRU Secretariat is ready to offer methodological and financial support for this initiative. Discussions on this proposal will continue at the leadership level of the secretariats of the parliaments of Austria and Ukraine.