Institution of First Lady of Ukraine: Formation and Prospects

Abstract

The paper deals with the state of the institute of the First Lady in Ukraine. The present state of study of the issues related to the activities of the first ladies made by Ukrainian scholars was marked as extremely unsatisfactory one. A brief overview of the formation of the phenomenon of the first lady and the activities of persons of this status in our country since Ukraine gained independence, is presented in the context of global experience. The importance of first lady’ image and initiatives for either country sustainability or promotion of liberalism and openness throughout the world, is stressed. The factors that slowed down the progressive development of this important component of the institution of the presidency in Ukraine, are emphasized. Special attention is paid to the activities of the present First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, and the transformations that her activities in this status underwent after the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Despite her devoted activity in the field of diplomacy, communication, healthcare and psychological health support, her achievements in cultural diplomacy could be considered as insufficient ones. As well the wife of the president of a country at war could pay much more attention to issues related to women at the war. The author makes an attempt to highlight the problems caused primarily by the ill-conceived information policy and the lack of institutionalization, which negatively affectthe reception of the first lady activities by Ukrainian society. Solving of these problems could foster to perform initiatives by the first lady of Ukraine.

Keywords

• first lady, the first lady of ukraine, olena zelenska, information policy, information space of ukraine, cultural diplomacy, humanitarian policy.