Volodymyr Lytvyn: A Criticism-Based Period of Public Life has finally finished
Volodymyr
Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, attended the opening of the Program of
Parliamentary Internship "Assistant
of the Chairman of the Verkhovna
Rada of Ukraine Committee 2010-2011." Greeting the students of Ukrainian
universities who won the contest for internship program in the Verkhovna Rada
of Ukraine, V. Lytvyn declared that it was "one more victory in their lives." "Exams you have passed are
similar to the entry exams to universities. It is a start in the social life of
the state", he added.
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, emphasised, "Internship in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will be a brilliant opportunity for the young people to get acquainted with the bright politicians and state officers, take part in the legislation drafting, and learn laws."
The Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament is convinced that the politicians need "an opportunity to discuss essential problems, objective and independent position." "It is necessary to conduct a whole-Ukrainian dialogue in our life", he stressed.
Speaking with the interns about the most important events in the political and economic life of Ukraine, the Head of the Parliament stated that scrutinizing the Tax Code, constructive proposals, not the criticism should be considered. "We should harmonize interests of the state and public needs, since thay build the state and pay taxes", he explained.
The Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasised that the state required alternatives to the groundless criticism: "Those people whose life concept is total criticism should be separated from the political life. We need constructiveness. We should believe in our state and people, not forgetting about productive powers. A criticism-based period of public life has finally finished", he claimed.
V. Lytvyn called on the young people to gain necessary knowledge and skills to participate in the parliamentary elections on the due level. According to V. Lytvyn, elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine should be held under the majoritarian system, the candidates being nominated by the parties. He is convinced that such a system " logically structures the society" and makes People´s Deputies responsible. He advised the youth to learn the citizen´s problems on the local level. "Young people should adhere to the following principle: ahead and up, have ambitious plans and aims, the state needs you", the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament is convinced.
V.
Lytvyn promised to assist this program and its interns.
For reference: The Parliamentary Internship Program was established in 1995 by the United States Association of Former Members of Congress jointly with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Since 2000, the program has been administered by the Parliamentary Development Project under a cooperative agreement with USAID. Since September 2008, it has been administered by the Ohio State University
The aim of the Program is to provide young Ukrainian professionals with a chance to take direct part in the law-making process, which will become a start of their future political, legislative and public career, and promote democratic principles in the Ukrainian Parliament and central government offices. The program celebrates its 14th anniversary. Over this period, more than 923 Ukrainian students, postgraduates, and young political leaders have had a chance to work in different parliamentary Committees and departments.
Interns are selected in a stringent competition and may serve full-time, part-time or as volunteers. Full- and part-time interns are provided with a modest living allowance currently funded by USAID.
In 2008. the Internship Program was extended to include work in the policy-making institutions of ministries and the Presidential Secretariat.