WUNU representative to serve as an expert on an international Ukrainian-Dutch project
Oksana Koval, Director of the Education and Research Centre for Communications at WUNU, will participate in the international Ukrainian-Dutch project ‘A Fair, Transparent and Accountable Criminal Justice System in Ukraine – Phase II’ as an expert, following a personal selection and an official letter from Hans van den Berg, Senior Project Manager at the Centre for International Legal Cooperation (CILC) (The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands).
The project is being implemented in collaboration with Ukrainian government bodies, academics and civil society organisations, and aims to improve the criminal justice system, particularly in terms of psychological support for war veterans, the development of Teach-the-Trainer programmes, and the introduction of interdisciplinary approaches in the training of justice system professionals.
The new implementation phase (2025–2027) involves comprehensive research, the development of methodological guidelines and training programmes, as well as the organisation of specialised training sessions for representatives of the criminal justice system, which will help to strengthen the system’s professional capacity and integrate international experience in line with Ukrainian realities. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and coordinated by an international consortium comprising the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), the T.M.C. Asser Institute and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC).
Oksana Koval’s professional experience in developing training programmes for trainers, drafting methodological guidelines and devising communication strategies within the criminal justice system will facilitate the effective achievement of the project’s objectives and strengthen international cooperation in this critically important area. She has significant practical experience in comprehensive work with the legal sector and psychological support, having participated in the implementation of the Restorative Justice Programme as a member of an inter-agency working group, serving as the project psychologist and trainer for the ‘Life Skills’ individual sessions programme.
In addition, she has on numerous occasions served as a project lead, author and trainer for international projects on crisis communications and negotiation for officers of the National Police of Ukraine and civil servants. This experience enables her to effectively integrate methodological approaches, psychological support and communication practices into the work of the international Ukrainian-Dutch project, ensuring a high level of professional support throughout all stages of the initiative’s implementation and facilitating the exchange of knowledge between Ukrainian and international partners.
International cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other international offences (the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention) is a key focus of the project. To ensure a holistic approach, two working groups have been established, comprising Ukrainian state institutions and academics. Their work is focused on developing trainer training programmes, protocols and procedural recommendations, as well as methodological and communication strategies for engaging with war veterans.
There's a special focus on developing training programmes for psychologists working in the probation system, interdisciplinary training for professionals, crisis communication, psychological support and social reintegration, as well as the implementation of person-centred standards and alternatives to imprisonment.
West Ukrainian National University supports such initiatives and regards them as an important step towards establishing an effective and fair criminal justice system in Ukraine, laying the foundations for a sustainable Ukrainian-Dutch partnership.