Head of the High School Yuliia Lykhach took part in the NAUCS webinar on the competition ‘Best Practices for Implementing Educational Innovations in the System of Professional Training of Civil Servants, Heads of Local State Administrations, Their First Deputies and Deputies, Local Government Officials and Deputies of Local Councils’ in 2024.
The participants of the event had the opportunity to learn about the requirements for preparing and submitting applications for participation in the competition, receive detailed explanations of the criteria for evaluating educational practice, and advice on describing educational innovation practice from the members of the competition committee. And also – with the successful experience of the winners of the 2023 competition.
The High School won first place in the nomination ‘Professional Training to Ensure the Resilience and Adaptability of State and Local Governments in Times of War’.
According to Yuliia Lykhach, the School has developed and is implementing a number of measures to help public servants make informed decisions in any situation, adapt to work under martial law, and develop psychological competencies. This was the case of the All-Ukrainian educational online marathon ‘Emotional Resilience of a Public Servant’, which was attended by more than 500 people from all over Ukraine.
As a result of the marathon, an ‘Anti-Stress Moneybox’ and videos on ‘Psycho-Emotional Support Techniques’ were prepared, which highlight practical advice on self-help, supporting oneself and loved ones in a resourceful state, as well as preventive practices for overcoming stress and building internal supports and resilience. The manual ‘Psychosocial Support for Public Servants in Martial Law: A Workshop for Trainers’ was also prepared.
The institution has developed and is implementing 5 advanced training programmes on psychosocial support, adaptation and development of psychological competence of public servants. More than 500 civil servants have improved their professional competences under these programmes. In addition, most short-term programmes and educational projects include separate modules on mental health, psychosocial support, and communication with female and male veterans.
Much attention is paid to psychological rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and professional adaptation. This year, the International Conference on Interaction of Public Servants with the Military, Veterans and Their Families ‘There is a Challenge!’ was held to address the urgent issues of psychosocial support and reintegration into civilian life for female and male veterans. The programme ‘Supporting Mental Health in Times of War’ was also developed jointly with the Regional Foundation for Public Administration Reform in the Eastern Partnership Countries, GIZ. The programme has trained 120 representatives of human resources departments of public authorities.
Higher education also trains those who will teach. During the 2024 Summer School of Coaching Excellence, 25 coaches were certified in psychosocial support.
‘We are ready to share our experience and best practices with educational service providers, higher education institutions, regional training centres, and are open to cooperation with international partners to share experiences and develop joint projects,’ summed up Yuliia Lykhach. ‘We are open to new ideas and innovative approaches. We invite everyone who cares to join our work to develop and implement effective programmes and tools together. We are convinced that by working together we will be able to create an innovative system of psychosocial support that will meet the current challenges and needs of society.’
