The security of Europe relies on the security of Ukraine, says the President of the National Assembly of France
On March 28, a delegation of French MPs headed by the President of the National Assembly of France, Yaelle Bron-Pivet, arrived in Ukraine. During her address to the Verkhovna Rada, Bron-Pivet conveyed the unwavering support of the French people for Ukraine, stressing the interconnectedness of Ukraine's security with that of Europe. She condemned the illegitimate Russian elections held recently in Ukraine's occupied territories. "The day will come when peaceful Ukraine will restore its territorial integrity,” Bron-Pivet said. “The day will come when martyred cities will rise again, when war criminals will pay, and when Ukrainian grain will feed the world. The day will come when Ukraine will no longer be a frontline but the eastern gate of the EU. This day will be the day of your victory. And here you can count on France. Both for protection and further recovery." An air raid alert interrupted Bron-Pivet's speech due to enemy aircraft activity.
USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitates conference on Parliament's role in Ukraine's path to European Union, organized by VRU Committee on EU integration
On March 29, Internews Ukraine and International IDEA convened a conference in Kyiv and online titled "The Role of the Verkhovna Rada on the Path to Ukraine's Full Membership in the EU," bringing together more than 130 representatives from Government, civil society, and international partners. Olivér Várhelyi, from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), delivered a special address to the participants. Deputy VRU Speaker Oleksandr Kornienko emphasized the importance of active communication with voters for successful European integration. Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna, highlighted that the Verkhovna Rada's role in passing key legislation is crucial for a democratic state’s functioning. Meanwhile, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chairperson of the VRU Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, stressed the need to bolster Parliament's institutional capacity and maximize staff expertise to facilitate Ukraine's EU accession. Participants also discussed:
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps VRU Committee on Freedom of Speech improve communication with voters through social media
Program experts developed recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the VRU Committee on Freedom of Speech’s social media communication. The experts conducted research by analyzing the Committee's website and performance on social networks, and advised the Committee on how to improve its online communication, especially during martial law, marking Program's sixth set of recommendations to VRU Committees. USAID RADA: Next Generation also shared with the Freedom of Speech Committee the successes other VRU Committees have had implementing Program recommendations.
USAID RADA: Next Generation enhances the capacities of VRU Committees to organize public events
On March 25, USAID RADA: Next Generation conducted an online pilot training session for VRU Committees’ employees on the organizational and technical aspects of holding the Ukrainian Parliament’s public events. Representatives of Model Committees and staffers of other Parliamentary Committees joined in the training session. As a result, the participants improved their skills and knowledge on the issues of communication support before, during, and after the organization of public events, branding and preparation of news items on public events, forming target audiences, and sending invitations. After the training session, Program experts shared the trainer’s presentation with the participants, along with other materials related to organizing public events.
USAID RADA: Next Generation assists VRU Research Service in improving their training potential
On March 28-29, USAID RADA: Next Generation conducted the Training for trainers for the staffers of the Training Unit of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (RSVRU). In total, 15 RSVRU experts joined the event. The workshop aimed to improve the RSVRU’s training potential. During the event, the participants learned key training components according to the Program methodology and algorithms for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational product - the logic, content, and tools of Parliamentary Civic Education training.
USAID RADA: Next Generation enhances the communication capacities of Ukraine’s political parties to improve cooperation between voters and MPs
On March 29, the International Republican Institute (IRI), with the Program support, conducted a focus group with the local branch of the Batkivshchyna party in Dnipro at the IRI Training Center. It was the first focus group of political parties represented in the Verkhovna Rada. In total, 14 participants, including local party members and members of local councils, attended the event. The focus group aimed to identify the status of and weaknesses in the party’s communications and engagement with citizens. Participants shared their approaches to communicating with the voters and discussed changes brought about by the war and their involvement in lawmaking. IRI will continue cooperating with Ukrainian parties and inquire about engaging local NGOs and businesses in shaping the party's agenda.
USAID RADA: Next Generation assists the VRU Committee on Freedom of Speech in refining journalist accreditation procedures for frontline reporting
On March 25, the Program supported the VRU Committee on Freedom of Speech in conducting a roundtable titled "Procedure for accreditation of journalists working on the frontline." USAID RADA: Next Generation supports parliamentary committees in organizing public events to involve a wide range of stakeholders in the discussion of socially important issues, in particular in the conditions of martial law, and jointly develop solutions to existing problems.
USAID RADA: Next Generation engages NGOs and experts to discuss legislative improvements in Ukraine's labor market
On March 26, USAID RADA: Next Generation subgrantee "Association of Companies for International Employment" organized a roundtable discussion titled "Labour Force in Ukraine: Current Status, Problems, Prospects." Experts, MPs, and NGO representatives deliberated on strategies for repatriating Ukrainians and attracting migrant workers to balance Ukraine’s labor market. The participants also emphasized the importance of improving labor productivity and generating new domestic employment opportunities to stem the outflow of Ukrainians. Following the roundtable, a working group was established to formulate recommendations for improving Ukraine's state migration policy. Also on March 29, the "Association of Companies for International Employment" convened an expert discussion at Mariupol State University focusing on Ukraine's labor supply challenges. Attended by experts, professors, and NGO representatives, the event addressed the need to align the development of a future workforce with the country's needs and the issue of youth emigration by emphasizing the creation of appealing educational and employment opportunities within Ukraine.