The first week of training as part of the specialised course on consular practice has come to an end at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.

Being there for citizens when they need it most is not merely a professional duty, but a daily challenge for every Ukrainian diplomat. 

The programme of our training course was structured around the key challenges faced by foreign diplomatic missions today.

The following topics were covered in detail during the course: cooperation between foreign diplomatic missions and bar associations on matters relating to the protection of the rights and interests of Ukrainian individuals and legal entities abroad, processing of legal requests, organisation of the work of consular officials, digital literacy and tools, foreign diplomatic missions’ response to emergencies involving Ukrainian citizens abroad, the consul’s functions regarding the protection of citizens, protection of the rights of children who are Ukrainian citizens, international adoption, guardianship and custody.

Leading specialists and practising experts shared their experience and knowledge with the audience:

• Mykola Oleksandrovych Pavlov, President of The Ukrainian Bar Association for Foreign Affairs, Director of the Department of Civil Law and Protection of Individuals’ Rights;
• Alla Valentynivna Poliova, Ambassador-at-Large of the Communications and Information Resources Division of the Directorate-General for Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
• Kostiantyn Mykolaiovych Vorona, Deputy Head of the Directorate – Head of the Crisis Response Division of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
• Andrii Orestovych Ivasyshyn, Head of the Protection of Rights of Ukrainian Citizens and Legal Entities Abroad Division, Directorate-General for Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
• Stanislav Volodymyrovych Plakhotnyi, Head of the Protection of Children’s Rights Section, Consular Protection Directorate, Directorate-General for Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

A comprehensive approach to these issues enables the consular service to remain a reliable support for every Ukrainian, regardless of their country of residence.