At the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the discussion of future projects in the field of a barrier-free environment started. On the International Human Rights Day, December 10, Director General of the Directorate for Humanitarian Policy of the Office of the President Veronika Seleha met with representatives of international organizations and missions working in Ukraine.
"The First Lady's initiative proclaims that a barrier-free environment should be the social norm," Veronika Seleha noted.
She stressed that, according to the poll, most Ukrainians expect stronger efforts to introduce inclusion and a barrier-free environment. Citizens give high priority to this topic. In response to a broad public request, the President of Ukraine signed a decree according to which the Cabinet of Ministers must develop and approve a National Strategy for the creation of a barrier-free environment in Ukraine.
Veronika Seleha noted that it is extremely important for Ukraine to study and adapt the best international experience in eliminating barriers in the economic, social, digital, educational and other spheres.
Representatives of international organizations and missions welcomed new initiatives on a barrier-free environment in Ukraine and stressed that the creation of equal opportunities and conditions for all citizens, including the elderly, people with disabilities, women, youth, parents raising young children, is extremely important for the formation of a society in which respect for human rights prevails. A systematic approach to the implementation of accessibility, inclusion, support for diversity is in line with key UN documents and, in particular, will contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The parties agreed to continue cooperation in the implementation of best practices of a barrier-free environment and human rights protection in Ukraine.
The event was attended by representatives of the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine, the International Labour Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Coordinator in Ukraine and others. The participants discussed possible formats and directions of future cooperation in the field of building a barrier-free environment in Ukraine.