The first day of the educational visit for projects “Supporting Ukraine through Enhanced Protection of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees”, funded by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, and “Strengthening the Rights of Ukrainian Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees through Legal Education” supported by the Council of Ministers of the Nordic Countries, has concluded. Lyudmila Rudenko, head of the legal clinic at Sumy State University, visited Ukrainian House Foundations.
A key focus of the Ukrainian House Foundations is supporting the Ukrainian community in Poland through information, education, and cultural activity. Following the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian House Foundations processes approximately 100 inquiries daily from Ukrainians under temporary shelter in Poland, providing them with legal, psychological, and educational support, and social accompaniment. Myroslava Keryk, the head of Ukrainian House Foundations, discussed the challenges faced by her staff. It’s noteworthy that Myroslava Keryk’s husband was born and lived in Romny, Sumy region. After discussing the issues and challenges, a decision was made to coordinate between Ukrainian House Foundations, the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine, and member legal clinics of ALCU for online legal support of Ukrainians in Poland. There was also an educational visit to the legal clinic at the University of Warsaw. Dr. Malgorzata Dziewanowska, coordinator of the refugee sector, shared insights into the structure of the legal clinic, organisation of work, and the specifics of providing legal assistance by the refugee sector. The first day concluded with a visit to one of the largest collective shelters for Ukrainians in Poland. Dr. Filip Czernicki discussed the complexities in shelter operations and the pro bono legal support for Ukrainians by European Lawyers in Lesvos. Thanks are extended to the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine for the opportunity to learn about the experience of legal clinics and the provision of free legal aid.