The central theme of the panel discussion on the Future of Veteran Policy: Nothing for Veterans Without Veterans during the XIII Civil Society Development Forum (with) STAND was the need to rethink veteran policy in Ukraine and transition from a patronizing approach to a partnership-based model between veterans, society, and the state.
The principle of ‘nothing for veterans without veterans’ means creating a new governance culture in which veterans' voices are heard and become an essential component of policymaking.
The discussion became a vital platform for dialogue among the government, veterans, and international partners. The speakers included: Political Section Advisor at the U.S. Embassy Matthew Johnson, veteran Yuriy Hudymenko, partner of fallen combat medic Valentyn Dobryi of the 77th Mechanized Brigade Leda Kosmachevska, representative of GSC Game World (developer of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2) Daria Tsepkova, veteran Nadiia Haran, service member of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade Kholodnyi Yar Oleksandr Dzhusupov, and Advisor to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on Veteran Policy Olha Danilova. Communication expert at the Vesta Fund Kateryna Eykhmann moderated the discussion.
Video recording of the panel:
