Themes by tag: Kyiv
On September 16, Kyiv will host the opening of the temporary Georgiy Gongadze Memorial Alley and a commemorative event dedicated to the 24th anniversary of the murder of the Ukrainian journalist. The event is organized by the Georgiy Gongadze Prize.
Journalists, human rights activists and all interested people are invited to the opening of the temporary Georgiy Gongadze Memorial Alley, which will consist of information banners about Georgiy’s life and contribution to independent journalism and civil society in Ukraine.
The alley will be created in cooperation with the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.
At the opening of the Alley the following people will speak:
- Tetyana Teren, Executive Director of PEN Ukraine;
- Myroslava Barchuk, Ukrainian journalist and TV presenter, Vice-President of PEN Ukraine and a person who knew Georgiy Gongadze personally;
- Valentyna Telychenko, human rights activist, representative of the Gongadze family;
- Olha Salo, Deputy General Director of the National Memorial Complex of Heroes of Heavenly Hundred – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity;
- Mykhailo Tkach, investigative journalist with Ukrainska Pravda;
- Tetyana Pechonchyk, Head of the Board of the Human Rights Center ZMINA;
- Oksana Romaniuk, Director of IMI.
For reference: The Georgiy Gongadze Prize is an award and ecosystem of initiatives for independent journalists, founded by PEN Ukraine in partnership with Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, and Ukrainska Pravda publication. The prize is awarded once a year on May 21, Georgiy Gongadze’s birthday. Previous laureates were Tetiana Troshchynska (2024), Bohdan Logvynenko (2023), Yevhen Maloletka and Mstyslav Chernov in tandem (2022), Myroslava Barchuk (2021), Pavlo Kazarin (2020), and Vakhtang Kipiani (2019).
The Children’s Voices Charitable Foundation launched the “Children Dream” campaign and asked children from different regions about their dreams. The aim is to show that despite difficult circumstances, children continue to dream and need the support of adults. Moreover, children’s dreams are a source of strength for adults as well.
“I hope that when the war is over, we will have a very beautiful sea that will be very popular with tourists. (…) Let our music flourish all over the world…”
This is an excerpt from a letter written by 12-year-old Eva, who shares her dreams. Three months after the outbreak of the full-scale war, she was forced to leave her native village in the Zaporizhia region (now occupied) and moved to the city of Zaporizhia, where she participates in the activities of the Center of the Children’s Voices Charitable Foundation.
Among the dreams shared by other children is the desire to attend school in person instead of studying online. And, of course, the children dream of Ukraine’s victory and the liberation of the occupied territories.
Journalists can learn more about the “Children Dream” campaign and, with prior agreement, speak with the children (whose parents consent), particularly in the Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and in Kyiv.
On September 13, the Media Center Ukraine will present a new study titled “(Non-)Return of Children: Ukraine Faces Its Greatest Challenge Since Independence.” The research, conducted by the Regional Center for Human Rights, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, and the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation, delves into the legal and humanitarian challenges surrounding the return of Ukrainian children from russian control.
The study highlights the experiences of these three NGOs in defending the rights of children who were under russia’s control and have since been returned. It provides insights into the legal efforts, the return process, and the reintegration of these children. The findings are based on interviews with children, their parents or guardians, return specialists, and a detailed review of international humanitarian and child rights law.
Participants:
– Kateryna Rashevska, PhD in International Law, expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights;
– Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder and director of Voices of Children Charitable Foundation;
– Daria Kasyanova, Chairperson of the Board of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, Program Director of SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine.
Moderator: Natalia Yemchenko, member of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.
For reference: Since russia’s full-scale invasion, over 19,500 Ukrainian children, including 4,000 orphans, have been forcibly displaced or deported, with the vast majority remaining under russian control. Among them are 1.6 million children from the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine.
On September 14, Kyiv will host the “Run for Freedom,” an advocacy race aimed at securing the release of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians held in russian captivity. Organized by students of the Kyiv School of Economics, the KSE Foundation, DefDev, and the project to support Mariupol defenders—Heart of Azovstal, the event will bring together activists, veterans, and families of those still imprisoned.
Timothy Snyder, a Yale University professor and ambassador for the UNITED24 initiative, has thrown his support behind the race and will participate in person. Snyder, who is also leading a fundraising effort for demining operations as part of the UNITED24 Safe Terrain project, stands in solidarity with Ukraine’s cause.
According to Ukraine’s Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, around 28,000 Ukrainian citizens remain in russian captivity. The race aims to spotlight the plight of these individuals—military personnel, civilians, men, women, and even children—and amplify calls for their release.
The event will include military personnel, veterans, former captives who have survived imprisonment, and families still waiting for their loved ones to return, along with anyone who cares about the freedom of Ukrainian prisoners.
On September 12, Kyiv will hold a roundtable discussion at Media Center Ukraine, titled “Exploring Multiple Citizenship: Opportunities and Risks” which will delve into the potential benefits and challenges associated with holding multiple citizenships.
Participants:
– Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress;
– Nataliia Naumenko, Head of the State Migration Service of Ukraine;
– Volodymyr Viatrovych, Member of Parliament of Ukraine, European Solidarity faction;
– Solomiia Bobrovska, Member of Parliament of Ukraine, Holos political party party.
With millions of Ukrainians now residing abroad, this community represents an enormous intellectual and economic resource that could play a key role in Ukraine’s recovery and future stability. Implementing a framework for multiple citizenship could mobilize the global Ukrainian diaspora to contribute more effectively to the country’s development. It would harness the talents and skills of Ukrainians abroad while ensuring that their identity and connection to their homeland remain intact.
The adoption of a law on multiple citizenship could open doors for Ukrainians living abroad to engage fully in Ukraine’s political, economic, and social spheres. Since 2019, this issue has been a top priority for the Ukrainian World Congress and has gained even more urgency following russia’s full-scale invasion.
For the global Ukrainian community, it is essential that any law on multiple citizenship reflects a unified stance among all relevant parties.
On September 12, a press conference titled “Building a Human Resource Pool for Future De-Occupation: Completion of the Reintegration Management Program Pilot Group” will take place in Kyiv. The event will highlight efforts to prepare skilled professionals for reintegration and de-occupation initiatives.
Participants:
– Olha Kuryshko, Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
– Іryna Tykhomyrova, President of MIM Business School.
The Reintegration Management Program is a collaborative effort launched by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in partnership with MIM Business School, and supported by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Over a six-month period, the program’s online students received training in leadership development, management strategies, legal frameworks, and project management. The curriculum also included a deep dive into the history and specific challenges of currently occupied territories. Throughout the program, students engaged with public officials and human rights advocates, gaining insights into leadership and governance.
Graduates of the Reintegration Management Program have developed 20 unique projects aimed at the revitalization of Ukrainian territories post-liberation.
On September 14, the Security Police of Kyiv oblast invites media representatives to an inclusive and interactive theatrical performance for children with disabilities “Symphony of Ukrainian Fairy Tales”, performed by the Kyiv Classic Symphony Orchestra under the direction of UNESCO Artist for Peace Herman Makarenko.
The premiere of this special performance took place in the main building of the Kyiv Ohmatdyt Hospital on July 5 this year, just two days before a russian missile strike. So instead of continuing to cheer up the young patients as planned, the orchestra musicians had to perform the Requiem amid the ruins – footage that was seen worldwide.
From the very beginning, the creators of the project planned to perform the show several times in Ohmatdyt during the summer. Unfortunately, these plans were thwarted by russian missiles. So, the Security Police of Kyiv oblast stepped in to help organize the event. Visually impaired children were invited to the performance.
Accreditation is required to attend the event.For reference: “Symphony of Ukrainian Fairy Tales” is a combination of musical and theatrical art with an interactive approach. The project is supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
On September 11, journalists are invited to the offline premiere of the fourth film in the “Ready to Resist” series, “Shields of Kyiv”. The film is dedicated to the 112th and 241st brigades of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which have been defending the capital since the first days of the invasion.
“Shields of Kyiv” is a documentary created by a team of TDF Media military personnel, telling the story of key military positions near Kyiv held by the Territorial Defense Forces at the start of the full-scale invasion.
It is the story of the courage and valor of the soldiers of the 112th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade who, along with other combat units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, defended the capital during the active attempts of the russian troops to advance. This brigade gave birth to and formed the “backbone” of another combat unit – the 241st Independent Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces. During the early days of the great war, these brigades became, in a sense, the shields of Kyiv.
The film was made under the guidance of serviceman and director Akhtem Seitablayev. Historian and officer of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Alforov also contributed to the film. The directors of the film are Dmytro Havrylenko and Oles Katsion.
At the premiere there will be an opportunity to meet and talk with the filmmakers.
On September 10, the Media Center Ukraine will hold a press conference titled “Destruction of Freedom of Speech in Crimea: Causes, Methods, Results.” The event will delve into the deteriorating state of media freedom in Crimea under russian occupation.
The discussion will center on the second edition of journalist Yuriy Lukanov’s book, “The Press: How Russia Destroyed Media Freedom in Crimea”, published by the German Ibidem Verlag. The English translation of the book was presented earlier this year at prominent institutions, including the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, The Financial Times editorial office, London Metropolitan University, Oxford University, the University of Glasgow, and University College London.
The conference will highlight how the Crimean occupation authorities have intensified their crackdown on free speech compared to 2014, even leveraging Western media outlets in their efforts.
Participants:
- Yuriy Lukanov, freelance journalist, author of the book “The Press: How Russia Destroyed Media Freedom in Crimea”;
- Valentyna Samar, editor-in-chief of the Center for Investigative Journalism;
- Olha Skrypnyk, Chair of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group, co-coordinator of the Crimea Platform Expert Network.
Lobby X, a social impact organization known for its recruitment efforts for the Security and Defense Forces, is expanding its services to support military veterans. The initiative has introduced a career counseling program designed to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce and find new professional paths after military service.
As part of the program, veterans will receive assistance in crafting resumes that highlight the skills they acquired during their service, preparing for job interviews, creating LinkedIn profiles, and identifying job opportunities with employers who offer veteran-friendly working conditions.
The counseling is open to all veterans, whether they have a clear career direction or are unsure of their next steps. Counselors will help participants identify their strengths, explore career and educational opportunities from NGOs, the government, and the private sector, and provide guidance in finding a new professional calling.
For reference: Journalists can arrange to cover the veteran career counseling sessions in Kyiv by prior appointment.
