On May 14, 2024, the “Veterans – the way home” forum was held on the premises of the Korsak Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art.
The purpose of the event is to improve the state veteran policy, reintegration of veterans into society. At the beginning of the forum, a number of high-ranking officials of the Cabinet of Ministers and people’s deputies of Ukraine spoke.
In particular, Iryna Konstankevych, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, a member of the Inter-factional Parliamentary Association “Rehabilitation Forces of Ukraine”, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, noted that there is a set of complicated issues to be resolved at all levels in order to make veteran’s integration into the society as efficient and comfortable as possible. “In one of the interviews, a military veteran bitterly said: «There, in the trenches, I was a hero, but here no one needed me». We must do everything so that our heroes do not become a lost generation. Therefore, I thank everyone for their desire to work together for the veterans and the future of Ukraine,” Iryna Konstankevich said.
After that, three discussion platforms were held, in which Lesya’s people also participated. For example, the coordinator of “Veteran Hub Plus Plus ++” Tetyana Hordovska took part in the “State veteran policy: what is the state and development prospects” platform.
Several representatives of the University shortly joined the discussion of the “How to ensure the reintegration of veterans into society?” platform. The discussion moderator was Nataliia Kostruba, regional coordinator of the All-Ukrainian mental health programme in Volyn region, Deputy Dean for Research at Faculty of Psychology.
Rector Anatolii Tsos told about the directions of veterans integration currently implemented by Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University. According to him, more than 10,000 students are studying at the University, of which 333 are children of combatants, 115 are from temporarily occupied territories and territories where active hostilities are taking place, and 14 are combatants. Currently, the students have the opportunity to study in 80 bachelor’s and 64 master’s programmes.
In addition, Anatolii Tsos spoke about the psychological support of veterans, their participation in sports, art and social projects, retraining and micro-training, creating jobs for them, commemorating the dead, and more. According to Rector, the conditions for the training of occupational therapists have been prepared at the University.
Head of Department of Practical Psychology and Psychodiagnostics Lyudmyla Mahdysiuk said that practical psychologists provide help not only to veterans, but also to their family members. According to her, there is a great demand in society for professional psychological help, so lecturers and students organise thematic events and implement projects.
Based on the forum results, its participants developed joint recommendations on how to improve the state veteran policy, ensure the reintegration of veterans into society, and create an inclusive and barrier-free community for veterans.
The event organizers are the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights, the Inter-factional Deputy Association “Rehabilitation Forces of Ukraine”, with the support of the USAID Programme “Council: Next Generation”, in cooperation with Volyn Regional State Administration and Volyn Regional Council.
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