Themes by tag: Kyiv

On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold the event “Childhood in Captivity: How to Protect the Rights of Children in the Occupied Territories”.

Topics for discussion:

– What is the current state of children’s rights in the occupied territories?

– What is it like to grow up under occupation?

– What are the challenges of monitoring violations of children’s rights in the occupied territories?

– What can Ukrainian and international institutions do to protect children’s rights in the occupied  territories?

– What are the prospects for bringing to justice those involved in crimes against children under occupation?

Participants:

– Mariia Sulialina, Director of the Almenda Center for Civic Education;

– Ilias Sheikhisliamov, son of a political prisoner, public figure, member of the NGO “Crimean Tatars of Odesa Region”;

– Noel Calhoun, Deputy Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;

– Arman Akopian – Deputy Director of the Department and Head of the Unit for Children in Wartime, Department for Monitoring the Observance of Children’s Rights at the Secretariat of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Parliament of Ukraine;

– Yulia Usenko, Head of the Department for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Combating Domestic Violence of the Prosecutor General’s Office;

Background: November 20 marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The adoption of this document was an important step in ensuring fundamental rights for every child. In particular, Article 29 states that a child’s education should be aimed at fostering respect for the child’s parents, cultural identity, language and national values of the country in which the child lives and the country of origin.

Despite the fact that the russian federation has ratified the Convention, thus committing itself to comply with its provisions and ensure children’s rights in accordance with international standards, russia systematically violates children’s rights. Children living in the occupied territories are in a particularly vulnerable situation, as they are victims of targeted indoctrination, militarization and erasure of identity.

• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold a press conference and presentation of the “Moscow Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War”. The event will present an alternative version of the Geneva Conventions: the “Moscow Conventions,” which are structurally similar to the original, but describe completely different norms, such as killing, torture, electric shocks, beatings, lack of medical care, and inhumane detention conditions.

Participants:

– Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;

– Oleh Hushchyn, representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War;

– Yevheniia Synelnyk, representative of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families;

– Tetiana Katrychenko, Executive Director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights;

– Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, liberated paramedic and volunteer (online).

Registration is required for this event.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

russia has illicitly abducted more than 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of its full-blown war, with another 1.5 million at risk of deportation from temporarily occupied territories. Many of these children have had their personal data altered, making it nearly impossible for their families or homeland to locate and reclaim them.  

Save Ukraine, a non-governmental organization, has been at the forefront of efforts to bring Ukrainian children home. Through carefully coordinated and regular rescue operations, the organization has successfully returned 538 children to date.  

Journalists are invited to reach out to Save Ukraine for comments and further insights into their ongoing efforts.  

• children
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Orange Revolution and the 11th anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity.  The program includes exhibitions, thematic tours, public discussions, and a meeting series titled Evolution of Revolutions. A key highlight is the academic forum Revolution of Dignity: Towards History Dates – 2024, hosted by the National Memorial Complex of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.  

On November 21, an interfaith prayer for Ukraine and its freedom fighters will be held, followed by the ringing of the Dignity Bell and a ceremony to honor fallen defenders. Flowers will be laid, and candles will be lit at the portraits of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.  

The events will be broadcast live on the Maidan Museum’s Facebook page.  

The initiative is organized by the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity and Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, with support from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyiv City State Administration, and the NGO Families of the Heavenly Hundred.  

For reference: The Dignity and Freedom Day commemorates the anniversaries of two pivotal moments in Ukraine’s history: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013.

• culture
• Kyiv

The highlight of the day will be the unveiling of the ‘Wall of Resilience and Invincibility’ at National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt”, Ukraine’s leading paediatric clinic. This artistic installation symbolizes the unyielding spirit and unity of the Ukrainian people and pays tribute to the medical professionals who continue to save lives under the most challenging wartime conditions.  

The wall, located at a site damaged by russian attacks, tells the stories of those who have worked tirelessly to rebuild the country since the first days of the war. Created by volunteers and Ukrainian artists, it embodies hope, strength, and a shared belief in ultimate victory.  

Accreditation is required for journalists covering the event.

• culture
• russian crimes
• volunteers
• Kyiv

On November 19, the Kyiv War Museum will host Light a Fire, a solemn event to mark the 1,000th day of the war. A thousand candles will be lit at the base of the iconic Motherland monument, followed by a unified prayer for Ukraine.  

The event aims to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the country and to extend gratitude to those still defending it. 

Journalists planning to attend are required to secure accreditation.

• culture
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

As Ukraine and its allies search for new vulnerabilities in the russian economy, the United States and the United Kingdom have introduced fresh sanctions packages this month, while the EU is working on its 15th round of restrictions. Ukraine has also expanded its measures, sanctioning over 100 individuals and entities from russia and Belarus this week.

On November 19, the Public Council on Sanctions will hold a press conference to focus on the effectiveness of these efforts and highlight areas requiring further action. Key questions include whether existing sanctions are achieving their intended goals and how U.S. policy might evolve under Donald Trump’s return to power.

The Council comprises representatives from 13 organizations dedicated to analyzing and advocating for sanctions against russia. During the conference, participants will present policy recommendations for Ukraine and its allies aimed at enhancing their economic pressure strategies.

Speakers include:  

– Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Advisor and Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy;

– Agiya Zagrebelska, Director of Partnership Development at the Economic Security Council of Ukraine;

– Oleksandr Liemienov, founder of StateWatch/Trap Agressor;

– Victoria Vyshnivska, Senior Researcher at the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO). 

Accreditation is required to attend, with applications due by 5 p.m. on November 18.  

For reference: The Public Council on Sanctions facilitates collaboration between government and civil society to design, advocate, implement, and renew sanctions against russia and its allies. Its members include organizations such as the ANTS National Interests Advocacy Network, Black Sea News and the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies, DiXi Group, Institute of Legislative Ideas, International Center for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV), Molfar OSINT Agency, Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO), and Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU), Сentre for Global Studies Strategy XXI, StateWatch/Trap Agressor, Razom We Stand, U8 Ukrainian Analytical Center. 

• Kyiv

On November 18, practical training under the Iron Women program will start in the Kyiv region. Iron Women is a no-cost retraining program aimed at equipping women with the skills to become excavator operators and front-end loader drivers.

The program includes both theoretical and hands-on training, concluding with professional certification for Level 5 excavator operators and Level 4 front-end loader drivers. These qualifications permit employment at enterprises but do not authorize operation on public roads.

A total of 12 women have joined the program, which is offered free of charge. Tuition, accommodation, and meals are fully funded by the Reskilling Ukraine initiative.

By prior arrangement, journalists have the opportunity to cover the practical classes in Kyiv region, which will last from November 18 to December 12.

For reference: The initiative is organized by the Swedish non-profit Beredskapslyftet in partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment and ETS Group, as part of the Reskilling Ukraine project.

• women
• Kyiv

On November 21-22, Kyiv will host the second international conference “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South”.

The conference “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South” is bringing together experts and opinion leaders from Africa, Asia and Latin America to discuss current challenges, prospects for cooperation with Ukraine and the promotion of the Peace Formula. It will be a follow-up to last year’s conference, which brought together more than 300 participants, including 35 speakers who shared their experience and insights.

Details of the event: https://cutt.ly/7eGzruZ8

Registration is required to attend the event. (Space is limited). Confirmation of participation and detailed information on the exact location and time will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the registration form.

In addition to access to the conference venue, accredited media will have the opportunity to pre-book interviews with invited speakers.

• Kyiv

On November 18 in Kyiv, celebrities will join women in planting “The Alley of Women’s Strength” garden as a symbol of women’s resilience and strength ahead of the “16 Days Against Violence” campaign.

The event will focus on women who are transforming themselves during a challenging time for themselves and the country — women who have their own painful stories but continue to fight for a better future. Together with celebrities, they will plant trees as symbols of the perseverance and strength of Ukrainian women. These trees will serve as a living reminder that women can recover, thrive, and move forward regardless of past hardships.

The event will bring together everyone who cares about the issue of violence, especially in times of war. Every voice counts. The Cherry Blossom Garden will be entered into the National Register of Records of Ukraine, and participants will jointly sign a time capsule for future generations.

Journalists can access the full list of stars joining the campaign. Accreditation is required to attend the event.

For reference:  The 16 Days of Activism against Violence campaign was launched in 1991 by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. It is observed annually and unites women, men and children in the fight against violence.

The garden will be planted at the initiative of the International Charitable Foundation “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health”, the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and in cooperation with the Solomianskyi District State Administration in Kyiv.

• women
• Kyiv