On the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in a special educational event dedicated to school education: “Learning to Stay Strong: Education as the Foundation of Ukraine’s Resilience.”
The First Lady spoke about the reality in which Ukrainian children are compelled to pursue their education. She noted that to ensure students can safely study offline in frontline regions, schools in Ukraine are being built in bomb shelters. In addition, the Olena Zelenska Foundation is equipping shelters in schools and kindergartens across the country. Despite the war, the school nutrition reform continues, and “Lessons of Happiness” are being introduced within the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”
“Although the right to education has long been declared, in real life it still has to be fought for in many countries. Ukraine has found itself in a situation where education must be physically protected after our neighboring country attacked us. We – as parents, as a state – realized that we have no right to deprive children of a normal life,” said Olena Zelenska.
She also shared that, according to the results of an international research conducted for the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, one-third of parents and children in 14 countries stated that receiving only knowledge from school is not enough. Instead, there is a need for life skills, communication, and relationship-building.
Olena Zelenska called on participants to join the global campaign “Every Generation Leaves Its Mark. Education Shapes Its Legacy,” launched during the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. The First Lady also urged schools in other countries to show the video lessons “Snapshots from Ukraine: Untold Stories of Teenagers.” These short films share the stories of Ukrainian schoolchildren studying under the conditions of war while still dreaming of a happy future.
The special event was organized by the Permanent Missions of Ukraine and Lithuania to the United Nations and the NGO Osvitoria, with the support of the First Ladies of Ukraine and Lithuania.
In addition, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, Olena Zelenska held separate meetings with Queen Silvia of Sweden and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians. The First Lady thanked them and their countries for their active role in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and for their continued support of Ukraine.