Ukraine | UKR

Since gaining its independence, Ukraine has been undergoing a transition from a Soviet administrative structure to a modern, European democracy. The transition process is not yet fully complete. So the hopes for further positive developments in the future are greatly dependent upon young, modern Europe-minded decision-makers. The High Level Experts Programme Ukraine (HLEP) is intended to promote this development.

The programme is designed to offer young executives from various ministries, regional and local administrations as well as judicial authorities an opportunity to advance their knowledge within the context of a course over several weeks at the Federal Foreign Office, where they can gain valuable experience which they can apply in their work in the public administrations of Ukraine.


The programme, which is held in English, is tailored to the needs and priorities of our Ukrainian partners. The programme is as diverse as its participants and covers topics such as German-Ukrainian relations, relations between the European Union and Ukraine, European integration, European security, financial and integration policy, democracy, the rule of law, the media, human rights, international climate and energy policy, as well as regional and international cooperation.

As a further goal and as a result of our experience with HLEP over the years, an extensive network of contacts has been built up. This ever-growing network strengthens and promotes participants’ good and friendly relations both within the group and with Germany.

A report from the 11th High Level Experts Programme Ukraine by Vitaliy Dyshlovy

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine happened just before the final selection stage for the 11th High Level Experts Programme, and a year later, in 2023, it was a pleasant surprise for all participants that the Federal Foreign Office decided to proceed with the programme. During these hard times, as our country fights for freedom, democracy and independence, we needed this additional sign of support for Ukraine and our European aspirations from the German Government and institutions. Our group felt an even greater responsibility to represent Ukraine, our strong values, ancient history, authentic culture, wonderful people and reforming state institutions.

 

The programme gave us a unique opportunity to experience all levels of research, policymaking and implementation – European, German and local.

 

During our trip to Brussels we discussed the prospects and challenges that lie ahead before Ukraine’s accession to the EU, and the Union itself, during meetings at the European Parliament and Commission. It was delightful to see that there is a common vision on various issues and a readiness to solve them as fast and efficiently as possible. Of course, military cooperation and aid is the most important and relevant consideration for Ukraine at the moment, and it was discussed at NATO headquarters and with experts from different think tanks. Special attention was paid to the work by the International Criminal Court and Office of the Prosecutor in The Hague on war crimes and crimes of aggression by Russia in Ukraine, which many of us have seen with our own eyes.

 

In Berlin, our group was involved in conversations with all possible stakeholders in Ukrainian-German bilateral relations – from the Federal Chancellery, Federal Foreign Office, Bundestag and Bundesrat to the Federal Academy for Security Policy, the German Eastern Business Association and various NGOs. The leitmotif of all discussions – covering topics from the German political system to Germany’s role in support for Ukraine, in the country’s reconstruction and in its future – was the new Zeitenwende policy pursued by Olaf Scholz and his government. It is remarkable to see the shift not only in policy, but in the mindset of Germans, regarding the role of this great country in Europe and the world, the readiness to take more action and take on more responsibility in this time of challenges that we all, in the free democratic world, are experiencing.

 

We gained interesting insights into the relationship between federal and local government, the distribution of power and decentralisation, illustrated by the example of Saxony, during our trip to Dresden. Alongside official meetings, we were delighted to visit the Old Masters Picture Gallery and were impressed with an extraordinary exhibition of modern Ukrainian art at the Albertinum.

 

Needless to say these events and experiences have made our group, drawn from different agencies and backgrounds, a family. From the bottom of our hearts, I would like to say vielen Dank to the Federal Foreign Office and to the Diplomacy by Networking team for this truly comprehensive deep dive into German and European politics, diplomacy, economics and culture, which clarified, challenged and inspired our views and our ambitions for Ukraine as a part of the European family.