374 educational institutions from 23 regions of Ukraine have registered for the simulation game "We Are Lawmakers!". This means that thousands of schoolchildren will learn more about the work of the Parliament and develop their own petitions and bills!
On October 24, the grand opening of the All-Ukrainian Simulation Game on Civic Parliamentary Education "M18: We Are Lawmakers!" was held, attended by more than 1000 students and educators. This academic year, the game is being conducted by the Association "Educational Policy Development Agency" in cooperation with the Educational Center of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the support of the USAID RADA: Next Generation Program.
Ann Hopper, Director of the Office of Democracy and Governance at USAID Mission to Ukraine, congratulated the participants on this grand start: "I hope that this game will be the beginning of a dynamic and meaningful interaction between young people and the parliament. USAID will continue to support civic education as it fosters responsible citizens who fight side by side for a free and successful future for Ukraine."
Oleksandr Korniyenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, also joined in the congratulations: "It's great that we have such ambitious young people who have already begun to take an interest in the legislative process. I am sure that there are future politicians among them. This game is especially important in the context of our accession to the EU. After all, this generation will be the one to move our democracy and the entire parliamentary system forward in the coming decades."
During the opening ceremony, the organizers described all the stages of the M18: We Are Lawmakers game and how the training for teacher-coordinators will take place. Before drafting petitions and bills, the participants will take part in parliamentary lessons from the VRU Educational Center and personally communicate with MPs.
This is the second iteration of the M18: We Are Lawmakers game. Last year, more than 500 Ukrainian schoolchildren took part in it. According to them, the game helped them to learn in an interactive way what the role of the Parliament is in shaping public policy and how to influence decision-making.
All activities within the game are supported by the RADA: Next Generation Program. The development of parliamentary civic education is one of its priorities, as informed, responsible, and active youth is the foundation of a sustainable democratic society.