The team from the Reforms Support Office of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, with the assistance of the Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine and the Special Defense Advisor Programme supports Ukraine’s efforts in Defence-focused Security Sector Reform funded by the UK government, along with Sahaidachnyi Security Center, has developed the training course. “Defense Sector. Change Makers”, which was officially launched on 23 November 2024.
Forty representatives from Ukraine’s defense ecosystem were selected to participate in the programe, including individuals from analytical centres, charities, NGOs, Ministry of Defense units, and parliamentary assistants working on defense and security matters.
The course demonstrates effective cooperation between the military and civilian elements of the defense sector. It will last for three and a half months and aims to strengthen the analytical and communication capacities of the community. It will also expand the tools for advocating defense decisions both in Ukraine and abroad.
A particular focus of the course is on modern hybrid warfare tools, including cyber technologies, artificial intelligence, media use in propaganda, OSINT, and disinformation.
“Systemic reforms and transformations in Ukraine predominantly occur with public involvement. However, in the traditionally conservative security and defense sector, civil society remains weak and requires strengthening. This is why the primary goal of the ‘Defense Sector: Change-Makers’ course is to unite influential figures in the sector who are capable of transforming Ukraine’s defence institutions into some of the most powerful in the world,” said Lesia Ogryzko, Director of Sahaidachnyi Security Center and leader of this educational project.
The course features speakers and instructors from the highest levels of government, state officials, leading analysts, international experts, and representatives from military educational institutions of NATO member countries.
