On 13 May, participants in the “Young Diplomat School 5.0” course, run by the Youth Council under the Kharkiv Mayor, paid a study visit to the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.

The “Young Diplomat School” is an educational project in Kharkiv that offers participants the opportunity to gain knowledge and practical experience in international affairs. The programme for the fifth season includes theoretical, practical and interactive sessions on international relations and communications.

Ihor Ostash, Director of the Diplomatic Academy, told the guests about the institution’s history, its goals for further development and its educational programmes, and introduced them to the institution’s activities and its role in training specialists for Ukraine’s diplomatic service.

Particular attention during the event was paid to the importance of diplomacy in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion, when the support of Western partners, international cooperation and active foreign policy are decisive factors in the course of the war.

The Director expressed his gratitude for the visit and paid tribute to his Kharkiv colleagues for their courage and resilience, as they continue to work for their future and for the development of Ukraine despite Russian shelling.

Ihor Ostash emphasised the need to reform educational programmes for young professionals in the field of international relations, shared his own experience of diplomatic work, and offered some professional advice to his future colleagues.

In addition, the director of the academy confirmed that he would provide full support should the participants express a wish to undertake an internship at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine upon completion of the course.

At the end of the visit, the guests had the opportunity to view the exhibition currently on display at the academy.