On 17 October 2025, Anna Kondratova, Head of the Department of Economic Development and Financial Policy of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, took part in a regional seminar dedicated to exchanging experiences on preventing violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) through the socialization of its norms. The event was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in cooperation with the European Commission and the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria.

The seminar was held within the framework of the Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to IHL and formed part of the thematic track “Best Practices in Prevention”. The initiative aims to identify and promote practical approaches to preventing violations of IHL.

The discussions focused on the exchange of experiences among representatives of public and private institutions involved in IHL education and training. Participants explored organizational models for conducting educational activities, methods for evaluating their effectiveness, approaches to collecting and analyzing participant feedback, as well as mechanisms for adjusting training content to meet identified needs. Special attention was devoted to the selection and engagement of lecturers and speakers, as well as to enhancing international cooperation and partnerships in the field of IHL education.

The seminar brought together representatives of the ICRC Delegation in Belgium, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Judicial Training Network, the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations, the London School of Economics, and other international and national institutions.

During the seminar, Head of the Department of Economic Development and Financial Policy of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine presented the experience in organizing and conducting IHL training for Members of Parliament, their assistants, and staff of the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat.

She noted that the Research Service has recently modernized its approach to developing educational materials and professional training programmes, including through the involvement of leading lecturers and practitioners from various countries with expertise in the implementation of international humanitarian law. In cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Research Service has developed a number of accredited professional training programmes, including:“Current Issues of International Humanitarian Law”,“Missing Persons and the Right to Information about Their Fate in the Context of International Humanitarian Law”,“Persons Deprived of Liberty in Connection with an International Armed Conflict”,“Application of International Humanitarian Law to Deceased Persons”, “International Humanitarian Law: Areas of Application in the Context of Armed Conflicts”. The purpose of these professional training programmes is to enhance understanding of the role of parliament in implementing and ensuring compliance with the norms of international humanitarian law.