During the unprecedented times of 2022, Myropolis takes place again and following the successful cases of previous three years – it is fully led and coordinated by youth. An initiative that became “displaced” itself, it unites youth among IDPs and those young women and men living in the recipient community now in the west of Ukraine.
Together with Myropolis alumni, various youth actors and policy makers, including representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and youth councils, participants of “United by Myropolis” will brainstorm on ways to address the most pressing needs of youth during the times of war.
UNFPA Honorary Ambassador Maria Efrosinina took part in the meeting, giving a motivational speech to the youth.
Maryna Popatenko, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, also joined Myropolis this year: “The active participation of all young people in the life of the community, including young people among the IDPs, the involvement of young people in the decision-making process is a powerful step towards the highest living standards. It is a significant contribution to Ukraine's European integration, which is now more important than ever".
And the deputy head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, Yulia Kostyunina noted that "Myropolis, as in the beginning in 2019 and now, is a significant youth event in support of the resolution on Youth, peace, security".
According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, before the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine lived 10 million 263 thousand young people. After February 24, 2.5 million of them became IDPs and another 2 million left the country.
These young people now face difficulties with adaptation in host communities, and need psychological and legal support, these young people often feel lonely, and their families can be separated. In addition, security issues are acute. Even Myropolis today was accompanied by the sound of sirens and in a bomb shelter. This is another confirmation of the extremely difficult times for the youth of Ukraine now.
Maryna Popatenko, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, spoke today about the youth component in the National Reconstruction Plan of Ukraine. We are pleased that the proposed action plan promotes the active participation of young people in public life to rebuild the country.
Participants in this year's Myropolis have developed recommendations that will help address the challenges currently facing IDP youth. And we will present this resolution.
