On May 25, the final stage of candidate selection took place for the nationwide program “Youth Delegate of Ukraine to the UN.” For twelve years, the program has been engaging young people in international diplomacy processes, building a culture of responsibility and creating conditions for real change initiated by young leaders.

In 2026, 79 applications were submitted for the program. Twenty participants reached the second stage, which involved a practical assignment. Ten candidates took part in the final interviews with the selection committee. This format traditionally combines two stages: individual interviews, which determine four finalists and a case-based assignment testing the ability to quickly assess a situation, find precise messaging under time pressure and work effectively as a team.

The expert commission included:

• Khrystyna Havrylyshyn-Batrukh, President of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation;

• Serhii Dvornyk, Director of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;

• Volodymyr Khadzhynov, Head of the Youth Policy Directorate at the Ministry of Youth and Sports;

• Anna Mazarska, Head of the International Cooperation and Protocol Division of the Directorate for International Cooperation and European Integration;

• Marianna Yeleiko, Chair of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation;

Vitalina Shevchenko, Youth Delegate of Ukraine to the UN 2025–2026;

Yan Erl-Ruzhytskyi, Youth Delegate of Ukraine to the UN 2025–2026.

In his welcoming remarks to the candidates, Serhii Dvornyk noted: “Remember, this will not simply be an internship or a visit to New York. It is a mutually beneficial partnership both for the youth delegates and for the Ukrainian mission in New York.”

Daryna Varenyk – Founder and Executive Director of the World Ukrainian Youth Headquarters, member of the Youth Council under the MFA (2024–2025), International Cooperation Manager at the BRDO Better Regulation Delivery Office, graduate of the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU).

Khrystyna Havrylyshyn-Batrukh addressed the ten candidates: “I hope you have an interesting time. And remember that you have all already won, because you all already share something common and unifying. Thank you, and thank you to our partners.”

The delegates received a one-year delegate mandate and will represent Ukraine at the 81st UN General Assembly and other events in Ukraine and abroad during 2026–2027.