President Zelenskyi dismissed Fedir Venislavskyi from the position of the President's representative in the Verkhovna Rada.
On December 7, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi issued Decree No. 812/2023, dismissing Fedir Venislavskyi from the role of the President's representative in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In recent interviews, Venislavskyi asserted that MPs are considering a legislative requirement for Ukrainians to carry a military ID at all times. Additionally, according to Venislavskyi, they are working on a mechanism to send mobilization summons via email and registered mail. These statements were met with negative public reception.
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted several laws at its December 8-9, 2023, plenary meetings.
Specifically, MPs:
USAID RADA: Next Generation promotes the implementation of European energy efficiency practices in Ukraine.
On December 5, RANG, in cooperation with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Verkhovna Rada’s Energy Committee, presented the results of a post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) research on the experience of energy efficiency policy in the EU. The survey has become an integral part of the PLS research on specific provisions of the Law of Ukraine "On Energy Efficiency" developed by RANG and WFD experts. Within the working group meeting, the participants, including MPs, the Energy Committee Secretariat, the representatives of central authorities and local self-government bodies, international organizations, and donors, got acquainted with the experience of energy efficiency policy in Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark. The PLS survey results facilitated the developing and preparation of by-laws to implement the norms of the Law of Ukraine "On Energy Efficiency." The research on the EU experience can help to strengthen Ukraine's capacity for energy efficiency, which is crucial during the war.
USAID RADA: Next Generation enhanced the parliament-civil society cooperation during the war through the grant program.
On December 5, RANG held a meeting of the grant selection committee to review and choose non-governmental organizations’ (NGO) grant applications for support within the program "Citizens and Parliament: Democratic Representation and Effective Interaction in Martial Law." The program aims to back initiatives that enhance the interaction and collaboration of MPs with citizens during wartime. It focuses on involving citizens in decision-making, parliamentary work, communicating reforms, studying issues requiring legislative regulation, and conducting public consultations. The grant committee selected 6 NGOs' applications for support and one application as a reserve from 32 applications. Over the next week, RANG will engage with the chosen NGOs to clarify applications and budgets and finalize the selection procedure. Subsequently, the results will be communicated to USAID for approval.
USAID RADA: Next Generation cultivates inclusivity in parliamentary education: over 150 children with disabilities and IDPs participated in lessons on parliamentarism and democracy.
On December 5-7, the Parliamentary Education Center (PEC), with the support of RANG and the American Councils (AC), organized a live lessons for IDPs from Sumy region and children with hearing and speaking impairments and those with autistic spectrum disorders from Kyiv specialized school #18. The children had the opportunity to learn more about the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) and even create a model of the parliament building using multicolored plasticine. For older children, a lesson on the basics of parliamentarism and democracy was conducted. The children could speak with VRU Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk, MP Yuliia Ovchynnikova and active-duty military personnel, who came with his demining dog, Almaz, during the classes. At the end of the lesson, the children received presents. This marked the first live lesson of this kind for the PEC. In total, 132 children participated in the two lessons.
USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitated international parliamentary cooperation through the legal support of the Program of Parliamentary Ambassadors in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
On December 8, RANG, in collaboration with the American Councils (AC) and the Agency for Educational Policy Development, organized a meeting with the Parliamentary Education Center (PEC) to provide legal support in developing the document for the official establishment of the Program of Parliamentary Ambassadors in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In June, RANG and AC facilitated a study visit for PEC to the UK Parliamentary Education Center to explore the program's implementation for teachers conducted within the framework of the Teacher Ambassadors Program. This visit allowed PEC to understand the structure, selection criteria, methodical materials, and other aspects of the British Parliament's Education Center's work with teachers. The experience gained during the visit contributed to developing a similar program in Ukraine. RANG supports PEC in formulating the regulations for the Teacher Ambassadors Program to establish the program officially within the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
USAID RADA: Next Generation developed the partnership to improve communication between voters and MPs.
On December 6, IRI, with RANG's support, International republican institute (IRI) held a consultation with the Batkivshchyna faction to assess the current status and identify their needs. The head of the secretariat and two MPs representing the Batkivshchyna faction participated in the consultation. Discussions centered around improving communication between MPs and their counterparts in the regions, identifying efficient tools for such interactions, and exploring the role of the secretariat in facilitating this communication. Additionally, there was a thorough discussion on testing draft laws through deputies in the regions. RANG supported IRI in the development of improved communication between voters and MPs.
On December 13-15, Parliamentary Education Center, with the support of USAID RADA: Next Generation Program and AC, will conduct a series of live Parliamentary Education lessons for schoolchildren in Kyiv. The sessions aim to educate children about the Ukrainian Parliament, covering the basics of parliamentarism and democracy.
On December 14-15, USAID RADA: Next Generation Program will conduct a strategic session on “Effective leadership in the administrative management system” for the VRU Secretariat staff members.
On December 18, USAID RADA: Next Generation Program will conduct a webinar on the work of the committees of the Croatian Parliament. The VRU Committees requested the webinar, and it will be held in the framework of the study visit that the RANG will organize in January 2024.