The meeting of architects of the reforms on decentralization of Ukraine with the journalists of Ternopil, Chernivtsi, and Khmelnytsky oblasts took place on Novemner 20, 2014, in the form of another training organized by DESPRO in the city of Kamyanets-Podilsky. 

DESPRO expert for support of national policy, Maryna Bryl’, addressed the training participants with the introductory word. “It is the journalists who have to inform the public on the reforms going on in the country. In order for these reforms to be covered properly, we have invited the respective specialists. We wish you to acquire as much new knowledge as possible during your time here”, she noted.

 During the day, adviser of the Vice-Prime Minister and principal of the Civil Society Institute, Anatoloy Tkachuk, as well as the principal of the Institute of Municipal Development, Yuri Ganushchak, communicated with media representatives, clarifying the key points of the local self-government reform and administrative organization, busting the myths, and answering numerous questions from the audience.

 During the culmination of the discussion, answering the pessimistic exclamations of the audience “It is impossible to change our mentality!”, Anatoliy Tkachuk stressed: “It takes a long time to change the mentality, and it is the reforms that change it!”.

 Moderator of the event, Kyrylo Lukerenko, the editor-in-chief of “Public radio”, outlined the practical tasks for the day – a wallpaper, a media report, etc., depending on the journalist specialty. “The practical task will be presented at the end of the training, it will contribute to consolidation of knowledge you acquire, and indicate the level of your understanding of the information provided”, the moderator said. At the end of the training all four groups of journalists presented their fulfilled tasks. Commenting on the level of understanding of the material by journalists, Anatoliy Tkachuk, noted: “So far, training participants from Rivne have been the most well-prepared. Now you can stand in line with the leaders”.

 Similar trainings for media, organized by DESPRO have already taken place in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Rivne, Zhytomyr, and Volyn oblasts. Thus, the training series, initiated by DESPRO, will cover the whole Ukraine.

 The event was held to support the governmental initiative “Decentralization of authority”.