On June 17, 2026, a working meeting took place between Lesya Vaolevska, Head of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Olesya Otradnova, a Ukrainian MP and a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy; and Halyna Smirnova, Senior Specialist of the Council of Europe’s HELP Project.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of cooperation between the Research Service and the Council of Europe’s HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) Project for Ukraine, including the war period.

Particular attention was paid to HELP courses, which are delivered online, in person, and in a hybrid format in accordance with the HELP methodology, as well as to the development of joint professional development programs with the Research Service. Such programs, in cooperation with HELP, will enable professional training participants to deepen their knowledge of international and national standards regarding the rights of people with disabilities, barrier-free environments, and modern approaches to effective interaction, thereby helping members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, their assistant-consultants, and the staff of the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat to apply these standards in practice.