On July 25-26, the Forum "Reintegration of Veterans: Strategy, challenges, prospects" was held at Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center. Participants discussed issues of veteran policy, challenges that should be taken into account when developing a national strategy for the reintegration of veterans, and also presented the results of a new study on the needs of this group.
The event took place in the left half of the
Big Exhibition Hall on the first floor of the complex. In 1000 m2, the organizers freely placed a theater seating for guests and a stage with a screen, 5 conference rooms, as well as a catering area, a zone for non-verbal broadcasting of the event and information stands.
During the opening of the forum, Matthew Johnson, Stabilization Advisor at the US Embassy in Ukraine, performed with a welcoming speech. He expressed his gratitude and respect for the men and women on the front lines who are fighting for a free and independent Ukraine, and stressed the importance of the event.
"The United States already has several generations of veterans who have returned from various conflicts, and we know that their reintegration is very important, despite the presence of certain challenges. The development of a national strategy for the reintegration of veterans will help to include veterans and veterans in the economic development of Ukraine. Their support for today is a task for everyone… ", – Johnson said.
Ruslan Prykhodko, Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, during the opening remarks noted the need to unite efforts to transform veteran policy, create flexible and inclusive approaches that will meet specific needs.
"This is, first of all, building a sustainable and flexible policy that creates all the appropriate conditions for their support, meets the needs and demands, is inclusive and barrier-free, and also creates all the appropriate conditions for a quick return to civilian life," – Prykhodko commented.
IREX in Ukraine was presented at the forum by project director Uliana Bakh. IREX has been implementing the Veterans Reintegration Program for 5 years with the support of the US Department of State. During this time, the activity of the program affected the lives of more than 200 thousand Ukrainian veterans, veterans and their families, said Ms. Bakh.
"When veterans return home after defending the country, they must have all the conditions and opportunities for reintegration and rehabilitation. And during a full-scale war, and in the future we have many challenges, but many prospects. Only a strategic approach developed jointly by state institutions, civil society and veterans themselves can provide a system and infrastructure that works effectively for veterans, providing them with a decent life and opportunities," – Uliana Bakh emphasized.
During the event, several panel discussions were organized on such socially important topics as the reintegration of veterans through the eyes of the authorities, programs for the development of veteran entrepreneurship, support and restoration at workplaces, inclusion, etc.
Conference rooms located within the Big Exhibition Hall were presented as meeting rooms, where networking was held on the physical and mental rehabilitation of veterans, barrier-free, international partnerships, etc.
During the break, guests also had the opportunity to try snacks from Parkovy Catering without leaving the location, and return to the main program of the event in time.
The Parkovy team is grateful to the organizers for choosing a complex and conducting extremely important and responsible work in the social aspect. We look forward to new initiatives.
