EXPERT DISCUSSION “CONTENT AND FORMS OF POLITICAL EDUCATION FOR WAR VETERANS” AT THE RAZUMKOV CENTRE

On April 22, 2025, the Razumkov Centre hosted an expert discussion on the topic “Content and Forms of Political Education for War Veterans.” The event was organized within the framework of the project “Implementing Mechanisms for Political Education of War Veterans as a Way to Enhance Ukraine’s Democratic Resilience,” which is being carried out by the Razumkov Centre with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Representation in Ukraine.

During the event, the results of an expert survey conducted by the Razumkov Centre from March 20 to April 10, 2025, were presented, and the following issues were discussed:

• the relevance of political education for veterans at the current stage;
• target audiences and their needs for political education;
• optimum forms, methods, and objectives of veterans’ education;
• institutions that can provide political education for veterans.

According to the survey results, 77% of the experts polled believe that political education for war veterans in Ukraine is still in its infancy, and is implemented unsystematically and irregularly. Experts identified the most important objectives for political education courses for veterans as: teaching and developing critical thinking skills, the ability to assess socio-political events, skills for constructive problem-solving; developing skills for participation in political and civic activities; and fostering the ability to counter abuses of power.

The discussion was attended by scientist from the I.F. Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Doctor of Political Science, Professor, and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Galyna Zelenko, emphasized the advisability of developing regional centers for veterans’ political education based at universities and non-governmental organizations, as these institutions possess the necessary human resources. Rostyslav Balaban, Candidate of Political Sciences, highlighted the importance of a multi-variant approach to the political education of veterans, noting that since veterans have different needs regarding political participation, educational offerings should be tailored accordingly. Nataliia Kononenko, Candidate of Political Sciences, drawing on her two years of volunteer experience, stressed the necessity of first motivating veterans to participate in political processes, particularly at the local level.

The event was held in a “hybrid” format (offline and online), which allowed for broad engagement of experts, civil society representatives, and veteran organizations in the dialogue.