 During the past few years the World Bank has intensified its work with young people from both developed and developing countries in the belief that they represent a powerful force for change, and that they need to be empowered to participate actively in development work and decision-making processes.
In order to engage youth to obtain a better understanding of their needs and priorities, the World Bank has organized several initiatives, one of which is the Youth Open House.
For the second time, the World Bank in Ukraine and the British Council (through the Memorandum of Partnership) have opened their doors to the representatives of youth and student organizations. This year the main attention was given to the important topic for Ukrainian students – the Bologna process, which is aimed at providing opportunities within the European area of higher education.
Active representatives of the student organization from all over Ukraine were invited to participate in this dialoge, together with the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, as well as leading specialists of the World Bank and British Council.
Addressing the participants of the Youth Open House, Olena Bekh, education specialist of the World Bank, emphasized that the Bank pays a lot of attention to the issues of education in Ukraine, financing the project ‘Equal excess to quality education” which being already implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. “The question of the reforming the educational system in Ukraine is the immediate need. As in all reforms the active part of the society is directly participating in the implementation impacting these reforms– in our case this active part is you – representatives of the student organizations. The issues of the optimizing of the educational system, improving curriculum are the issues where you have your own opinion based on your own experience. The World Bank, as a institution which supports reforming of the educational system in Ukraine, is interested to hear your appraisal of the modern processes in education and inspire you to cooperate during the implementing of this project.”
In today's world, Ukraine views its development within the context of integration into Europe, aligning itself to the fundamental values of western society. An important part of this process is equal access to quality education at all levels of society. Modernization of the higher education in Ukraine is realized in full accordance to the Lisbon Recognition Convention which has been signed and ratified by Ukraine. The principles of the Bologna process - which are obligatory for all higher education institutions in Ukraine - are embodied in this ratification and are in the midst of being implemented.
Throughout different regions of Ukraine, the process of implementing the main principles of the Bologna process varies. The Youth Open House solidifies the importance of engaging students from all regions of Ukraine and is seen as a focal point for sharing information about European integration to representatives from regions where information is limited by a lack of access to the internet. 
Numerous presentations on European programs in the area of higher education in line with the Bologna process were made to students from all over the country. This was followed by the facilitation of informal working groups that drew upon internet resources and that demonstrated research and common opportunities in advancing programs in higher education in Europe. Participants also discussed what has been already implemented in their universities, what they want to plan to implement and how they plan to carry out such ambitions. As a part of the support for this initiative, Ms. Olena Gorsheniova, English Language Teaching project manager of the British Council, made the following statement:
"I am pleased to realize that the common European process of harmonization of educational systems is becoming more visible in Ukraine and students are becoming an advocate of new ideas on organization and managing of higher education. As part of an active society, they are longing to have an affect on positive changes and they are ready to take part in the process of renovation and development of the national system of higher education."
As a result of the Youth Open House, participants and organizers decided to create and maintain a common internet network for exchanging information and experience in implementing ideas which were discussed during the event. It was also agreed to organize a follow-up meeting in October 2006 in order to analyze how much participants of the Youth Open House were able to increase student awareness of European educational programs through their youth organizations, and identify where they may require the support of international organizations. We hope that the representatives of the student organizations will take an active part during the further discussions of the possible cooperation between the World Bank and Ukraine in the area of education. |
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