Oleksandr Korniienko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, delivered a welcoming speech at the Forum "European Integration and Youth: From Challenges to Opportunities".
During the event, the participants focused on the role and opportunities of young people on the path of Ukraine's integration into the European Union, involvement of the new generation in public governance and state-building in general. "It is the younger generation who will live longer in the EU than we will, to be honest. Therefore, it is up to them to learn how the European Union works and what it means for the country in order to be directly involved in it in the future," Oleksandr Korniienko said in his speech.
According to him, there are challenges that need to be addressed. They relate to creating conditions for young people that will encourage a new generation of Ukrainians to build the state, as well as their involvement in public governance and public sector work. Special attention is paid to the issue of education. "As full members of the EU, we are expected to have quotas in various European structures — we cannot cope without an influx of new staff. But now the systems are closed to young people. We are planning changes in the civil service that will allow us to open the doors to young people and attract them," said the First Vice Speaker.
Even in the face of a large-scale military invasion by russia, Ukraine continues to work to give young people more opportunities. "We have ambitious plans to reform public administration, in particular to attract young professionals. We have been implementing the fair pay reform for two years now," said the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, adding that young people are not only the future of Ukraine, but also the present.
For reference: The Forum "European Integration and Youth: From Challenges to Opportunities" was organised by the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform in partnership with the Public Diplomacy Platform and the Public Network of Public Law and Administration UPLAN within the framework of the USAID/ENGAGE activity, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact in Ukraine.
