UNDP and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Engage Youth in Recovery Efforts
Resident Representative for UNDP in Ukraine, Jaco Cilliers, and the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The cooperation aims to foster the development of youth policies and strengthen youth leadership potential.
The Memorandum lays the foundation for joint efforts in the following areas:
- Supporting student initiatives,
- Strengthening student councils,
- Better integration of youth into civic engagement,
- Improving the quality of educational services,
- Developing legal clinics for student practice,
- Creating a safe educational environment in affected regions,
- Implementing digital tools to improve the interaction between educational institutions and communities.
This will contribute to the involvement of youth in decision-making processes at the level of educational institutions and communities. Resident Representative for UNDP in Ukraine, Jaco Cilliers, emphasized that youth are a key driving force in the country's recovery and highlighted UNDP’s continued commitment to supporting the development of young people's potential. "We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to create opportunities that will allow young people to fully unlock their potential," said Mr. Cilliers. "UNDP continues to support initiatives that contribute to building an inclusive, transparent, and accountable society where youth are active drivers of socially significant change."
Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, noted that the signing of this Memorandum would be a step towards more systematic support for Ukrainian youth during the full-scale war: "Our joint cooperation with UNDP will help us better respond to the needs of Ukrainian youth, consider their vision, and create conditions for their active participation in the recovery of the country," said the Minister. "We aim to develop the potential of our youth, support initiatives that foster social cohesion, and shape a new generation of leaders capable of changing their communities and influencing the development of a democratic Ukraine."
The collaboration between UNDP and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine will promote the development of youth policies that strengthen democratic values, build leadership skills, and enhance the active role of youth in the reconstruction processes in Ukraine.