The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Internship Programme for 2014-2015 has begun
10 November 2014, 13:53
Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Koshulynskyi congratulated interns of the Programme at the solemn opening ceremony.
He particularly stressed that studies within the Programme are "a unique opportunity", since the interns acquire "that kind of knowledge you can acquire nowhere else".
R. Koshulynskyi expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Programme and wished young participants great achievements and success.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey R. Pyatt congratulated the participants of the Programme and claimed that they "have gone through serious trials in order to become interns, however, even more serious work is still ahead".
Geoffrey R. Pyatt also said that the latest elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine showed that Ukrainians are determined to implement reforms. "The Verkhovna Rada, where you will work, is facing a challenge of even higher expectations than before", the Ambassador stressed and added that "Ukrainian institutions are progressing on the path of reforms".
He advised that the participants of the Programme "should adhere to the aspirations of the Maidan, as well as of presidential and parliamentary elections".
It was noted at the opening ceremony that the Internship Programme at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and central executive authorities began in July of 1995 on a joint initiative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. Since 2000 the internship is conducted within the Parliamentary Development Programme, and since 2008 – within the Parliamentary Development Programme II (Legislative Policy Development Programme) financed by the USAID.
It was also stressed that during 19 months of the Programme over 1300 young specialists became its interns. They have received training in committees and departments of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as in central executive authorities.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Internship Programme is a part of a 5-year USAID Programme "RADA: Responsible, Accountable and Democratic Assembly".