Автор(ка):
Марія Куцова
Advocacy and protection of children's rights in Ukraine is a significant focus for the "Voices of Children" Charitable Foundation. Our speakers and experts amplify the voices of Ukrainian children around the world. We also help children express themselves at international events abroad.
Since the onset of the large-scale invasion, we have collaborated with the NGO "Kharkiv Institute of Social Research" to compile monthly situation reports titled "Children and War". These reports detail the continuous war crimes perpetrated against children in occupied territories and areas of active hostilities, addressing the problems and needs of children during displacement. The findings of our assessments were shared at both international and Ukrainian human rights conferences and meetings.
On October 3, 2022, in Warsaw, the "Child Rights in Ukraine" сoalition and the "Ukrainian Child Rights Network" сoalition, with the support of ADC Memorial, held a side event "Children of Ukraine – Facing War, Migration, Separation" as part of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Svitlana Shcherban, manager of the Foundation's program monitoring and evaluation system, spoke about the difficulties of evacuating families with children from the occupied territories and areas of active hostilities.
On March 1, 2023, during the OSCE briefing in Vienna, we called on diplomats from 55 countries to help Ukrainian children. We presented our book "War through the Voices of Children" and an exhibition of illustrations by Ukrainian and foreign artists to accompany quotes by Ukrainian children.
On March 5, 2023, with the support of the Ukrainian Educational Hub in Poland, we held a presentation of the book "War through the Voices of Children" and screened the documentary "A House Made of Splinters", which was nominated for an Oscar in 2023. The founders of the "Voices of Children" Foundation contributed to the creation of the film.
In March 2023, the co-founders of the Foundation, Olena Rozvadovska and Azad Safarov, along with the actresses of the film "House of Splinters", attended the Academy Awards ceremony. The trip to the USA provided an opportunity to reiterate messages of support for Ukraine and Ukrainian children to the world.
Thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian volunteers, the film was screened at prestigious universities across the United States and Europe, including Harvard University, Stanford University, Princeton University, Georgetown University, Yale University, and others.
On April 27, 2023, employees of the Foundation spoke at a session of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). We discussed the deportation of Ukrainian children and other war crimes committed by Russian invaders. Additionally, the Foundation introduced our book "War through the Voices of Children", in which children have shared their reflections on the war, to the European parliamentarians.
We urge the European Parliament and the European community to assist Ukrainian children in returning home. Additionally, these children require psychological and psychosocial support. It is imperative that together we aid them in rebuilding their lives and reintegrating into society after the atrocities inflicted upon them by the Russian perpetrators,
the co-founder of the Foundation Azad Safarov emphasized.
the co-founder of the Foundation Azad Safarov emphasized.
In June 2023, psychologists from the Mykolaiv Center of the Foundation visited Poland as part of the training project "Improving Access to the Healthcare System and the Quality of Medical and Social Assistance in the Field of Mental Health". During the visit, they presented our book "War through the Voices of Children" to the First Lady of Poland, Agata Kornhauser-Duda. This initiative was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Polska Pomoc, and Caritas Diecezji Warszawsko-Praskiej.
On September 20, 2023, Olena Rozvadovska spoke at the event "Fighting for the Future: Ukrainian Children in War", which was held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. There, the co-founder of the Foundation shared five stories of Ukrainian children who taught her to pursue her goals, believe in herself, and move forward.
If children demonstrate this kind of resilience, courage, and strength in such circumstances, then we adults have no right to say that we do not have the tools to protect them,
stated Olena Rozvadovska.
stated Olena Rozvadovska.
The full text of the speech is available at the link.
On September 28, 2023, Olha Mykytchyn, Head of the Foundation's psychological helpline, emphasized the significance of showcasing the resilience of Ukrainian children and avoiding portraying them as victims at the W4UA summit in Poland.
On October 3, 2023, 17-year-old Oleh Afanasiev, the protagonist of the film "The Distant Barking of Dogs" and a beneficiary of the Foundation, was heard at the Warsaw Security Forum. The boy spoke about the horrors of living under occupation and emphasized the importance of aiding Ukrainian children.
This trip was organized in cooperation with the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV).
I don’t want to be afraid anymore. And I don’t want other children to be afraid,
Oleh Afanasiev said.
Oleh Afanasiev said.
In October 2023, Olena Rozvadovska addressed the impact of the war on the mental state of Ukrainian children and their families during the "Women and Children at the Center of russia's War in Ukraine" discussion at the Forum 2000 conference in Prague. She also shared the story of Mariia, who decided to escape from the occupation at the age of 15. The girl graduated from one of the top universities in Kyiv and is taking her first steps in journalism. According to Olena Rozvadovska, such an example of children’s determination should become a role model for adults.
From January 31 to February 1, 2024, the conference "Russia's War on Children" took place in Riga, Latvia. The conference focused on the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia, finding mechanisms to bring them back, and ensuring Russia is held accountable. Olena Rozvadovska was part of the Ukrainian delegation at the conference.
On February 15, 2024, Oleh Afanasiev, the beneficiary of the Foundation, had the privilege of meeting with David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, during his visit to the OPORA Foundation's Center for Assistance in War Crimes Documentation.
From 19 to 21 February 2024, delegations from the "Voices of Children" Charitable Foundation, the Civil Network OPORA, and the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, with support from the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, held a series of events in the British Parliament to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The aim of the events is to shed light on the devastating impact of the war, focusing on the experience of civilians and the genocidal nature of this war.
The aim of the events is to shed light on the devastating impact of the war, focusing on the experience of civilians and the genocidal nature of this war.
Olena Rozvadovska, the co-founder of the Foundation, and Olha Tymchenko, Head of the Communications Department, participated in the events. Veronika Sheldahayeva from Kherson, Head of the Children's Creative Council of the "Voices of Children" Foundation, shared her story of living under russian occupation for seven months. Additionally, Oleh Afanasiev, a beneficiary of the Foundation, spoke about the terrible two months in the militarily occupied Mariupol.
On March 13, 2024, Andriy Chernousov, a board member of the "Voices of Children" Charitable Foundation, was a delegate of Ukraine to the European Parliament, where he participated in debates on the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and the search for ways to return them. The Ukrainian delegation also met with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and presented her with the book "War through the Voices of Children".
In March 2024, Azad Safarov, the co-founder of the "Voices of Children" Charitable Foundation, and psychologist Oksana Pysarieva took part in the "Free the Children Conference" — organized by the Democracy Works Foundation in South Africa. The Ukrainian delegation, including Kseniia Kornienko, a lawyer of the Regional Center for Human Rights, Volodymyr Sheiko, director general of the Ukrainian Institute, and the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, appealed for help in returning children deported by Russia.
Integration and psychological rehabilitation will be a long-term process. Physically returning children from deportation is extremely difficult, but psychologically even more so,
emphasized Oksana Pysarieva.
emphasized Oksana Pysarieva.
The list of international trips of the Foundation's team is expanding every month because it is crucial for us to be present on various platforms and remind the world that the war in Ukraine is still ongoing and depriving Ukrainian children of their childhoods. At the same time, it is also important for us to convey how resilient are the children of Ukraine, and how dignified they are in enduring the crimes of Russian aggression, continuing to dream and create.
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