Sharing Experience for Better Preparedness
A groundbreaking 5-day international experience exchange project on defense capability and civilian population protection commenced at the Riga City Council. This collaborative initiative brought together key representatives from Latvia and Ukraine to share critical insights and strategies for better preparedness (emergency) and civilian safety.
Project opening
Opening remarks were delivered by Linda Ozola, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council; Artur Švinka – Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defense; Gints Reinsons – Head of the Civil Defense and Operational Information Department of the Riga City Council; Miks Duburs, Board Member of Biedrība “TEV”; Vinets Veldre, Former Minister of Defense of Latvia; Raitis Bullits, Co-founder of Angels for Ukraine; and Maria Petrova-Matsiuk – Chair of the National Council of Psychologists of Ukraine, Chair of the NGO “All-Ukrainian League of Ukrainian Women.”
The project conducted seminars across five major Latvian cities: Riga, Valmiera, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, and Rezekne. The workshops were focused on three critical panels:
- State-Level Military-Civilian Interaction and Self-Defense
- Self-Defense Strategies for Frontline Territories and Local Governments
- Volunteer Movement’s Role in Civilian Protection and Military Support
Key speakers and participants
The key speakers of the project are Serhiy Kryvonos, Major General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Former Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council; Ruslan Miroshnichenko, Commander of the 2nd International Legion and NATO Standards Reform Expert; Maria Petrova-Matsiuk, Head of the National Council of Psychologists of Ukraine, Head of the NGO “All-Ukrainian League of Ukrainian Women”; Oleksandr Vasylenko, Major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Leader of the Resistance Movement in Chernihiv Region.
It is vital that volunteer organizations and NGOs, together with representatives of Ukrainian local authorities, participate in all five days of the meetings in different cities.
Representatives from the Kherson, Sumy, and Donetsk Administrations shared their experience in establishing civil-military cooperation and cooperation with local and national NGOs to organize the evacuation of civilians, distribution of humanitarian aid, etc. From the third sector participants, their experience in response to the complex emergency situations caused by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine shared by Halyna Almazova, Vice-president of the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital; Maris Balodis, Head of the MedEvac project by Angels for Ukraine, and Yulia Lemberg, CEO of the FoodBank Foundation.
Significance of the Project
This joint initiative is more than just a dialogue platform; it is a powerful symbol of partnership and mutual support between Latvia and Ukraine. Both countries have long shared fundamental values of freedom, independence, and the pursuit of peace. In the current challenging environment, this experience exchange is crucial for protection and collective security.
As challenges continue to test our resolve, this collaboration represents another resolute step towards a shared vision of victory and resilience.
Glory to all who stand on the side of truth!
