Ukraine And International Partners Launch Educational Series for Civil Servants
In a landmark event held at Ukrinform as part of the inaugural National Accessibility Week, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, together with partners, launched a groundbreaking educational video series titled “Simply Put: Explaining Complex Matters.” The series, accessible on the Diia.Education national platform, is designed to empower civil servants to produce official documents that are clear, comprehensible, and trustworthy.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.
Comprising five comprehensive episodes, the course offers practical guidance on how to simplify official texts, announcements, and instructions without compromising the integrity of the message. While primarily targeted at government officials, the course is equally valuable for all professionals involved in drafting texts or communicating with the public.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications for European Integration, Andriy Nadjos, stated, “This initiative goes beyond education – it is a crucial step toward raising the standard of government communication. Millions of Ukrainians encounter state-issued texts daily, and they have the right not just to read but to understand them effortlessly. Simplicity here reflects respect for the reader and does not mean oversimplification. Especially during times of crisis, clear communication ensures vital information is accessible to all, fostering effective interaction between the state and its citizens.”
The series was developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Mine Action in Ukraine project, generously supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea. This initiative was launched by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications in close cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, utilizing the Diia.Education platform.
Christoforos Politis, Acting UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, also highlighted the broad importance of plain language in the state governance, which means writing one idea per sentence, avoiding abbreviations and complex jargon, and logically structuring information. To institutionalize this approach, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine issued Order No. 1046-r, recommending government agencies present information clearly and understandably.
National Accessibility Week is an initiative of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, aimed at making public services and information more accessible and inclusive for all citizens.