The reconstruction of Ukraine must begin with people. This was emphasised by First Lady Olena Zelenska during her speech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Rome. According to Zelenska, buildings and infrastructure can be rebuilt, but the main thing is to preserve and support human potential, without which the real reconstruction of the country is impossible.
‘Buildings can be rebuilt. But nothing can bring back the lives taken by the aggressor. The most valuable thing in the reconstruction of any country is its people. Houses without people, businesses without people, a country without people is not a country. It is a memorial,’ the First Lady emphasised.
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Olena Zelenska emphasised that the human aspect is key among the four main areas of the conference, alongside business, regional and European issues. In her speech, she presented a number of social initiatives that are being implemented both within the framework of state programmes and with the support of the Olena Zelenska Foundation.
Among the key projects is the All-Ukrainian mental health programme ‘How are you?’, within which more than 120,000 medical workers have already been trained to provide psychological support. The First Lady also spoke about a physical rehabilitation programme involving more than 11,000 specialists and a school meals reform: more than 1,000 kitchens have been renovated, and 1.5 million children receive free hot meals every day.
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In addition, a large-scale continuing education programme is being implemented: there are plans to build 200 new schools in shelters, which will be equipped with everything necessary. The National Barrier-Free Strategy, which aims to ensure access to educational, social and professional opportunities for all Ukrainians, also plays an important role.
Olena Zelenska announced that Ukraine is awaiting the signing of associate membership in the ESF+ programme, which will allow for the updating of legislation in the field of employment. She also presented the results of the Skills Alliance for Ukraine project — 275,000 Ukrainians have undergone retraining over the past year.
The First Lady paid special attention to the work of her own Foundation, which was presented for the first time at the URC. The Foundation’s stand presented the results of its support in three main areas: support for family-based education, access to education and psychosocial assistance. One of the new focuses is the ‘12-21’ project, which involves the creation of a network of youth spaces with free individual and group support, career counselling and a place for development. The first such spaces will open this year in five regions of Ukraine.
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