Yalta European Strategy (YES), in partnership with the Ukrainian School of Political Studies of the Agency of Legislative Initiatives, holds the second Ukrainian Regional Civil Servants Section for 100 Ukrainian civil servants and politicians from the regions as a part of the 14th YES Annual Meeting.
Politicians and civil servants from the regions play a crucial role in the implementation of reforms in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Government places strategic priorities on decentralization, which is aimed at strengthening regional and local administrations and communities. Highly motivated young activists and public officials across Ukraine have stepped forward to help reforms succeed. The Ukrainian Regional Civil Servants Section at the YES Annual Meeting helps young regional leaders expand their ambitions and energy to transform Ukraine. It provides the carefully selected participants with international know-how and best practices, strategic and leadership insights. It enables them to build a strong network of like-minded change-makers, nationally and internationally.
Among the speakers of the 1st Ukrainian Regional Civil Servants Section in 2016 were 23rd United States Secretary of Defense (2011-2013) and Director of the CIA (2009-2011) Leon Panetta; Vice-President of the European Parliament Ryszard Czarnecki; 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich; Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy NATO Tacan Ildem; Assistant Administrator of USAID for Europe & Eurasia Thomas Melia; Vice Prime Ministers of Ukraine Hennadiy Zubko and Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze; Minister of Finance of Ukraine Oleksandr Danyliuk; Mayor of Hlukhiv Michel Terestchenko; former Minister of Finance Natalie Jaresko and President of the Centre for Economic Development Oleksandr Paskhaver and others. The Section was moderated by former Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine (2014) Pavlo Sheremeta.