The UNFPA Representative in Ukraine Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan had a meeting with Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Public Relations Department Chief Mr. Sergiy Burlakov. The meeting was organized in the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs with civil society and international organizations to improve the public image of the police and better serve the Ukrainian people. Chair of the Board of the All-Ukrainian Charity Organization "Age Concern Ukraine" Ms. Galyna Polyakova also took part in the meeting.

Ms. Ehsan briefed the representatives of the Ministry on the UNFPA engagement in implementing the Madrid International Plan o Action on Ageing and improving the quality of life of older persons in Ukraine. Following the suggestion from Ms. Ehsan, the meeting participants agreed to consider developing a pilot training programme for local police officers on communicating with older persons and protecting their rights. District police officers, especially in the rural precincts, often are the only law enforcers available to older persons to deal with cases of elder abuse and age discrimination.

The UNFPA Representative expressed full support to the Ministry's aspiration to introduce the best European practices of community policing for the benefit of elderly people in Ukraine and offered informational and organizational assistance to promote public safety and to provide better services to all community members. It was also agreed to collaborate on the development and production of information materials for older persons on topics related to their security and safety.