‘The child’s well-being ensures a sustainable future for the entire world,’ noted Olena Zelenska at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen 

During the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and a founder of the event, delivered opening and closing speeches. In particular, Mrs Zelenska highlighted the topic of Ukrainian children amid the ongoing war. She expressed her gratitude to the participants, emphasizing the shared experiences of Ukrainian families, particularly the children’s trauma.

‘Everything in our family is very much similar to many other Ukrainian families, probably like in many other families across the globe. Yes, it goes as usual until we have a raid alert coming from our cell phone to say that another missiles have been sent by Russia to our country, and it’s time to go to shelter. It’s sad that my son already knows how to tell a missile from a drone, like millions of other Ukrainian boys and girls,’ – said Mrs Zelenska.

The First Lady of Ukraine stressed the severe psychological impact of war on Ukrainian children, who now perceive war as a normal part of life. Many avoid making future plans, prefacing any thoughts about the future with the phrase ‘when the war is over’. Mrs Zelenska emphasized that every child deserves a safe and peaceful childhood, free from fear and violence. However, she acknowledged that ensuring the safety and well-being of children worldwide requires a collective global effort.

The Summit focused on five key aspects of children’s safety: protection during the war, family security, school safety, online threats, and environmental security. Mrs Zelenska highlighted various challenges children faced during the war, including the feeling of devastation and psychological traumas caused by missile strikes, such as the Russian attack on the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital on July 8. Additionally, she drew attention to the serious issue of child abductions, revealing that around 18,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped, with only 380 successfully returned to Ukraine.

The Summit’s broader goal was to unite global leaders to protect children from the multifaceted dangers they face, whether it’s war, family violence, or cyberbullying. Olena Zelenska stressed the importance of preparing children for the digital world and teaching them to recognize harmful online influences. She added that while social media is an important part of modern life, it can also be a tool for manipulation and propaganda, which can affect children’s mental health.

Another issue the First Lady of Ukraine raised was the environmental damage caused by the war in Ukraine. She pointed to the destruction of nature reserves and the long-term consequences of pollution from missile strikes, stressing that the environmental crisis affects not only Ukraine but the entire world. As an example, she recalled a large-scale humanitarian and environmental disaster caused by Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam in June 2023.

During her closing speech, Mrs Zelenska called on the Summit participants to take action and achieve outcomes, including creating an expert document to guide global responses to military threats. The document was presented on September 23 at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA, inspiring the international community to ensure the safety and protection of children worldwide.

‘I’d like at this Summit to inspire the whole world to make the right decisions to protect the lives and development of children because the child’s well-being ensures a sustainable future for the entire world. Dear friends, experts, and colleagues, thank you. Once again, thank you. And I’m looking forward to seeing you at our next Summit,’ – concluded Olena Zelenska.