Parliamentary news

VRU Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk gave an interview to the parliamentary TV channel RADA

Here are the key points from his interview:

• “The start of negotiations with the EU is the final stage, where Ukraine must meet all the European Union's requirements and align its legislation with EU standards. Parliament plays a crucial role in this process. It has already adopted all necessary legislation to begin negotiations, and I would like to thank all MPs for supporting our path to the European Union.” (USAID RADA: Next Generation indirectly focuses on Ukraine's European Union (EU) accession efforts through a strong and comprehensive capacity-building component. The Program has partnered with the VRU Secretariat and EU National Parliaments to facilitate training, study visits, presentations, and other information exchanges with MPs from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland, discussing Ukraine’s EU candidacy.)
• “We have established a special fast track for considering European integration bills, regulated by a resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Our goal is to further accelerate the consideration of these documents, and a draft has already been prepared and will be reviewed by the Verkhovna Rada soon. For instance, some draft laws can be adopted immediately, both as a basis and in their entirety.”
• “We have created a subcommittee within each parliamentary committee to focus on European integration. European integration should become a new political priority for Ukrainians.”
• “According to the study "Parliament in Wartime: Ukraine’s example," the number of discussions in the Verkhovna Rada doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. Initially, there was a need to make quick decisions, often without debate. Over time, the number of discussions in Parliament has increased, reflecting the country's evolving situation.” (The Program experts developed the "Parliament in Time of War" study, encompassing the timeframe from the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine until now, specifically focusing on the legislative process, finding political consensus, and Parliamentary communications. The report delves into the primary trends observed in Parliament's operations amidst the ongoing conflict.)
• “The law on mobilization was one of the most complex bills considered by the Verkhovna Rada in this session.”
• “Soon, the Verkhovna Rada will address appointments to high political positions. Our task is to fill government positions with professionals and move away from the practice of appointing acting ministers.”
• “Allowing journalists into the Verkhovna Rada symbolizes Parliament's openness. This transparency is essential for building democracy.” (Thanks to a Program initiative, on May 8, 22 journalists from 11 leading Ukrainian media worked within the Parliament building for the first time since the beginning of martial law in 2022. This step followed a series of formal and informal Program-initiated meetings held by Parliamentary leadership and the journalists to discuss Parliament's decision to reopen to the media. With USAID RADA: Next Generation guidance, the State Security Service of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada's press service established a new accreditation system to allow journalists to cover Parliament on-site. The Program supported the VRU Committee on Freedom of Speech in organizing roundtables on journalistic ethics and practices during wartime. Program experts developed an analytical report on international experiences in accrediting parliamentary journalists, which was useful in creating the system for re-accrediting Ukrainian media and the corresponding security protocol.)
• “I hope journalists will form a professional parliamentary community that can represent Ukraine effectively, including on the international stage. Covering the work of Parliament is challenging, and it is important to learn from the experiences of other countries.” (The Program supports the creation of a self-governing organization to ensure journalists have a structured and practical framework for their activities within the Verkhovna Rada).

Program news:

USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitates use of innovative technology tools at Ukraine’s Parliament

On July 4, Program expert Kostiantyn Kaliuzhnyi conducted the online training "How to Create Video Content: Motion Design for Non-Designers" for more than 20 staffers of the VRU Secretariat, including employees of the VRU Press Service, Information Unit of the VRU Secretariat, RADA TV Channel, Holos Ukrainy newspaper, and communication staffers of the VRU Committees. The training enhanced the participants' skills in using graphic design programs and on how to create video content using motion design techniques. The training was designed specially for non-professional designers. During the training session, VRU employees developed t created animated posts and dynamic moving images using Canva and PowerPoint programs to attract the target audiences, increase their engagement, and make their communications more effective. The online training session was held within the framework and under the support of the USAID RADA: Next Generation Program.

USAID RADA: Next Generation helps Ukrainian IDPs abroad face challenges of war

On July 1, USAID RADA: Next Generation supported a side event organized by the Interim Special Commission during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. This event, spearheaded by the delegations of Ukraine, Romania, and Norway, focused on increasing support for Ukraine’s internally displaced persons and refugees. Program's support for the ISC includes providing expert assistance, such as materials for the side event and other meetings involving MP P. Frolov during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

USAID RADA: Next Generation establishes new formats of Parliamentary civic education based on best international practices

On July 2-4, USAID RADA: Next Generation, in cooperation with the Austrian Parliament, organized the visit of a Ukrainian delegation led by the Secretary General of the VRU Secretariat, Viacheslav Shtuchnyi, to the 6th Democracy Workshop Forum in Vienna, Austria. During the visit, a Letter of Intent was signed between the Parliaments of Austria and Ukraine to implement the Democracy Workshop initiative in the VRU, with Program partnering in its development and implementation. The Democracy Workshop Program, established by the Austrian Parliament in 2007, educates children and young adults about democracy and the parliamentary system through interactive workshops. This model has been adopted by the Parliaments of Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania, with further cooperation underway with North Macedonia, Slovakia, and Georgia. The Democracy Workshop Forum fosters dialogue on democracy education, addressing key challenges and promoting democratic values among the participating Parliaments. This year, the Ukrainian Parliament joined the Democracy Workshop Community, aiming to learn from best practices and enhance Ukraine's democratic processes and Parliamentary civic education.