Three Ukrainian Parliamentarians on the Frontlines
Adapting democracy to the invasion
For more than three decades, USAID has supported parliaments and legislative bodies around the world in its work to promote government responsiveness and accountability. Despite important markers of progress, the last decade has brought a new wave of authoritarianism in countries all around the globe — a disturbing trend seen most clearly through the declining role and strength of legislatures.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the contrast between Russia’s Duma, an echo chamber for a revanchist, unaccountable, and violent regime, and the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (known as the Rada), which has continued its momentum toward accountable democracy with a strong legislature, despite Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.
“This is about freedom versus dictatorship. Autocracy versus democracy. The Ukrainian people are making the fight for all of us,” said U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. Congress regarding Ukraine’s fledgling democracy.
In commemoration of International Day of Parliamentarism — June 30, a day recognized by the United Nations to acknowledge the critical role that Parliaments and legislatures play in a democracy — USAID honors one of our most enduring partnerships with the Rada. This support stretches to the Rada’s earliest roots following Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union and emerging from a period of tumultuous political transitions and executive capture. USAID currently supports the Rada with a five-year, $10 million project led by Ukrainians who are working to transform the Rada into a modern, effective institution that promotes accountability and democratic development.
The Rada is a 450-seat unicameral body composed of a coalition of parties that form the majority and active opposition parties.
Throughout the war, including during the bombing of Kyiv, lawmakers have sat as a body, passed laws, and conducted citizen outreach.
Below are the stories of three USAID-supported parliamentarians on the frontline of democracy.
Protecting and Promoting the Education of Ukrainian Students
Olena Kostyniuk, an alumna of the USAID-supported internship program with the Rada, assumed the leadership position as the head of the Educational Center in the Rada, which supports civic education by helping citizens understand how parliament works. She started this position just before the Russian invasion and then immediately regrouped the activities of the center to adapt to the new reality of the war.
Now, instead of giving educational tours to school children, the center conducts online meetings, classes, and presentations for Ukrainian and global citizens — particularly students who have left the country and are unable to continue their education in their native language.
With USAID support, the center has organized online lessons for over 23,000 students from all regions of Ukraine that include a history of the Rada, an overview of how parliaments function and operate worldwide, and their role in democracies. The center was the first hub in Ukraine to communicate with educators from all over the country, and has broadened its reach beyond K-12 lessons to cover topics such as social media best practices during wartime and mental health.
In early June, the center hosted a hybrid event at the Rada, bringing together the Parliamentarians and Ministry of Education and Science leaders, along with dozens of high school student government groups from all regions of Ukraine — including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Crimea — to discuss ways to continue the educational process and protect children’s rights and safety for those forced to relocate.
Continuing the Law-Making Process During War
As a member of the Rada, Pavlo Frolov has completed various Rada training courses, which included study visits and sessions on the work of parliaments both in Ukraine and abroad. Additionally, as the main consultant of the Parliament’s Secretariat, he has been a dedicated advocate in the creation of the Parliamentary Research Center in the Rada — an institution that will provide members of the Rada and its respective committees with essential background information in various areas of legislation, including global best practices.
Along with Ukrainian and international experts, USAID provided legal support to Pavlo, and other members of the Rada, to assist in the development of emergency legislation during the war and engage with other democracies in the world to let them know about the atrocities being committed by Russia’s military.
This effort included the Parliamentary declaration on the genocide of the Ukrainian nation, which is instrumental for receiving international support for Ukraine and for pursuing global condemnation and punishment for Russia’s war crimes.
Supporting Constituent Concerns
Member of the Rada, Ihor Huz, was a participant in the USAID-supported Rada Next Generation Model District project, which aims to improve how Parliamentarians engage their constituents in Europe’s second largest country.
Since the Russian invasion, he has continued to communicate with his constituents and work to resolve their everyday issues from ensuring pensions are received on time to promoting access to government services for disabled persons — and during the war, he has helped internally displaced people find new homes. This service to the community now also includes establishing beneficial international partnerships, such as cooperation with colleagues from Lithuania, to work together on plans to revitalize communities devastated by trade disruptions due to the war.
Ihor is also working with local authorities and citizen volunteers to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. That has included transferring 73 off-road vehicles from civilian use to the military forces — a hard-to-come-by asset that is much-needed by Ukraine’s defenders.
“As a member of parliament elected in the pro-government coalition, my goal is to unite all stakeholders to improve local development,” said Ihor.
Despite major challenges to its members’ personal security, the Rada remains united in fulfilling its role to represent citizen’s needs and desires — while remaining focused on supporting the government. USAID will continue to partner with the Rada during current wartime challenges and in a future period of peace and rebuilding.
About the Authors
Kevin Gash is the Legislative Strengthening Advisor and Jessica Benton Cooney is the Senior Communications Specialist with USAID’s Center for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.
