Citizens' readiness for national resistance to be enshrined in law
The issue of Ukrainian national and civic identity is proposed to be enshrined at the level of one of the basic laws that defines the foundations of the state's internal and external policy.
A new bill has been submitted to parliament, which proposes for the first time to directly include the affirmation of Ukrainian national and civic identity in the list of foundations of the state's internal and external policy.
The document aims to harmonize the basic law on the foundations of state policy with existing legislation in the field of national and civic identity, as well as to strengthen state policy regarding national-patriotic and military-patriotic education, civic education, the formation of defense consciousness, and civic resilience amid ongoing security challenges.
Ukrainian national and civic identity
Thus, bill No. 15326 "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine 'On the Foundations of Internal and External Policy' regarding the foundations of internal and external policy in the field of affirming Ukrainian national and civic identity" has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. The initiator of the document is the Cabinet of Ministers.
The current Law "On the Foundations of Internal and External Policy" defines the provision of comprehensive measures for national-patriotic education as one of the foundations of internal policy in the humanitarian sphere, but does not contain separate provisions regarding the affirmation of Ukrainian national and civic identity.
According to the authors of the bill, the state's ability to counter internal and external security threats largely depends on promoting the affirmation of Ukrainian national and civic identity, as well as on the development of three key components of state policy in this area: national-patriotic education, military-patriotic education, and civic education.
Proposed changes to the Law "On the Foundations of Internal and External Policy"
The bill provides for amendments to three articles of the current law.
In particular, it is proposed to supplement Article 3, which defines the main foundations of internal policy, with a provision on affirming Ukrainian national and civic identity alongside ensuring the comprehensive development and protection of the state language.
Also, a new version of one of the points of Article 10 regarding the humanitarian sphere is proposed. It provides for the promotion of:
- affirmation of Ukrainian national and civic identity;
- formation of defense consciousness;
- development of civic resilience;
- readiness for national resistance.
These goals are proposed to be achieved through measures of national-patriotic education, military-patriotic education, and civic education.
Additionally, Article 11 proposes to supplement provisions regarding the creation of favorable conditions for meeting national-cultural and linguistic needs with a norm on the formation and preservation of Ukrainian national and civic identity.
Why the government considers the changes necessary
National-patriotic education is aimed at forming defense consciousness based on Ukraine's socio-state values.
The sense of belonging of a citizen to the Ukrainian nation as a unique community united by name, symbols, historical memory, Ukrainian language, folk traditions, and other socio-state values is an important prerequisite for a person's readiness to fulfill constitutional and civic duties.
Regarding military-patriotic education, the bill states that it should contribute to the formation of defense consciousness, readiness for national resistance, increased public respect for military service, and the acquisition by citizens of competencies in the field of security and defense.
At the same time, civic education, according to the developers, should ensure the formation and development of civic competencies based on universal and socio-state values of Ukraine, as well as promote citizens' awareness of their rights and duties, particularly regarding the protection of national interests, state independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The bill will not require additional funding
The government notes that the implementation of the proposed changes will not require additional expenditures from the state or local budgets.
The document will also have no impact on the market environment, employment levels, regional development, the capacity of territorial communities, public health, or the state of the environment.
Furthermore, the explanatory note states that the draft act:
- does not contain provisions related to Ukraine's obligations in the field of European integration;
- does not affect rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
- does not create risks of corruption offenses;
- does not contain grounds for discrimination;
- does not affect ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
Expected results according to the bill's authors
The expected result of implementing the bill is the inclusion of promoting the affirmation of Ukrainian national and civic identity in the list of foundations of the state's internal and external policy.
The criteria for effectiveness identified by the authors are the affirmation of Ukrainian national and civic identity, defense consciousness, and civic resilience among citizens of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainians abroad.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports believes that clarifying the foundations of state policy will contribute to more coordinated activities of state authorities and local self-government bodies in the field of forming and preserving Ukrainian national and civic identity.
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