Synergy in Action: Cooperation Between the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Following the Seminar “Support for War-Affected Ukrainians: Coordination and Interaction”
Collaboration is crucial for Aspen Institute Kyiv. It is the practical realization of our mission: transforming ideas into concrete steps that contribute to developing a progressive, open, and democratic society.
From January to April this year, Aspen Institute Kyiv, in collaboration with CORE Response, implemented the program “Relief for Ukraine: an Ecosystem of Support for Ukrainians.” Within its framework, we conducted three one-day seminars. During these events, key stakeholders in the field of humanitarian aid worked on ways to enhance humanitarian response in Ukraine.
Veronika Plotnikova, the Head of the Coordination Centre for the Support of Victims and Witnesses of War and Other International Crimes at the Office of the Prosecutor General, and Olha Altunina, Representative of the Commissioner for the Rights of Citizens Affected by Armed Aggression Against Ukraine, attended оne of these seminars.
Veronika Plotnikova emphasized that the practical work during the seminar helped view the stages of organizing and coordinating aid from various perspectives: national, regional, and local. “The joint work allowed us to analyze gaps, risks, and opportunities and initiated a dialogue with Ms. Olha.”
Olha Altunina noted that she continues collaborating with some seminar participants: “We work with some participants daily, but it was only during the seminar that we had the chance to meet in person rather than through emails and Zoom calls. This has strengthened our collaboration. In the future, this could be crucial in implementing changes to protect the rights and interests of the affected.” This was also the case with Veronika Plotnikova.
As a result of this collaboration, sections of the “Concept of Improving the National System of Legal Protection and Support for Persons Affected by Armed Aggression Against Ukraine” were developed. The document was presented in July. The Concept establishes a systematic approach to identifying, categorizing, and supporting affected individuals, ensuring the protection of their rights and addressing their needs.
Veronika Plotnikova recalls that the work on the Concept began long before her acquaintance with Olha Altunina. Still, after the seminar, the collaboration became more focused and practical: “I was invited to join the extended session of the working group on the development of the Concept, and over several days, we worked across all areas. I’m especially pleased that the document is not abstract or overly idealistic. I’m glad that the Prosecutor General’s Office’s proposals regarding support and communication with victims of war crimes and the necessity of creating a stable referral mechanism for them have been heard and incorporated.”
We are thrilled with the deepened cooperation that emerged during the Aspen Institute Kyiv seminars. This is an example of how dialogue and cross-sector interaction can help generate new ideas, form concrete projects, and, most importantly, improve society.
We are grateful to CORE Response in Ukraine and Country Director Liana Khorovytska for the initiative and joint implementation of the project!
