One year ago, while watching the sun-drenched new Hollywood classics La La Land, I could barely imagine myself backpacking across the United States, learning the best practices of American animal defenders, watching live-stage Broadway musicals or eating the most delicious cheesecake in the world - at the legendary Brooklyn Junior's...
Anyhow, what must be a dream for any ambitious twenty-something Ukrainian professional came true for me, and in 2017 I had an honor to participate in Professional Fellowship Program (legislative cohort) - a six-week intensive visit to the US to learn the finest experience of policy-making from American civil society, the real-life challenges for liberal democracies and embrace a new fascinating culture.
This program is administered by American Councils for International Education and generously supported by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. And, of course, my journey would surely not happen without a letter of recommendation from Dr. Dmytro Vovk, whose dedicated work is a true inspiration for us at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and far beyond.
To be brief, my core motivation to participate was driven by quite pessimistic conclusions of my doctoral thesis on the phenomenon of animal abuse in Ukraine and the following pilot bill on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, designed in cooperation with Dr. Volodymyr Boreyko at Kyiv Environmental Cultural Centre. Unfortunately, in Ukraine, the public policy on animal welfare did not develop much since the collapse of USSR in 1991. Therefore, my placement as a PFP fellow was defined at National Anti-Vivisection Society, in the Windy City of Chicago. My supervisor was one of the most experienced fighters for cruelty-free research, wise and enlightened Marcia Kramer, who gave me a wide perspective on the basics of animal welfare advocacy in the US, provided an opportunity to make comments on bills and draft petitions as a real team player of NAVS and to attend the relevant workshops at Chicago Bar Association.
While staying at NAVS I've learned to appreciate a lot of the US political system - the level of legislative autonomy of the states and cities, the accountability of the Senate, the complex framework for volunteer and charity organizations activities and many more features, which are so desirable for today's Ukraine. Not the police, but carefully designed and implemented regulations for animal keeping, designed for entertainment, scientific research and agricultural business are the key to animal welfare in a modern country.
Another essential component of PFP Program is living with a host family, which is a perfect chance to dive into American lifestyle, crash movie-based stereotypes and enhance our English skills. Surely, being a guest of my sweet host mother, Karen Brown was nothing but a pleasure for me - our dinners, night rides, housekeeping, meaningful conversations and her endless support is one of the brightest memories to keep of 2017.
The last, but not the least point to mention - everybody knows that international activities are the best chance to expand your professional network and find new friends. Naturally, my adventures in Chicago and Washington DC would not be even half as bright without eight awesome Ukrainian fellows, our delicious national dinners, shopping tours, and night talks.
P. S. If you are 25 to 35 years old, feel like an emerging change maker for Ukrainian public policy and dream about strolling through Central Park since you've been a kid - do not hesitate to apply for the next intake of Professional Fellows Program!
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