Oleksii Serdiuk, Head of the Research Lab for Social and Psychological Support, Accompaniment, and Rehabilitation at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs (KhNUIA), participated in a crucial stakeholder consultation organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event focused on veteran reintegration as a key element in developing effective strategies to combat organized crime in Ukraine.

The consultation comes as Ukraine updates its national strategy on organized crime in line with the UN Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC). With over 1 million Ukrainians currently in military service, including 300,000 in active combat, the successful reintegration of veterans into civilian life is paramount for Ukraine's social stability and security.

During the two-day event, Oleksii Serdiuk joined representatives from veterans' organizations, international bodies, criminal justice experts, civil society, and government officials to discuss the unique challenges faced by veterans. The consultation highlighted the importance of addressing potential vulnerabilities that could lead to criminal involvement or exploitation by organized crime networks.

Key points of discussion included:

The need for a comprehensive strategy addressing both organized crime threats and veterans' reintegration challenges.

Development of targeted policies to support veterans' transition to civilian life.

Creation of a legal framework to proactively address reintegration challenges and minimize risks faced by veterans.

Implementation of comprehensive support systems, including psychosocial and physical rehabilitation services, access to justice, employment opportunities, and vocational training.

KNUIA's participation in this high-level consultation underscores the university's commitment to contributing valuable insights to national security strategies. The Research Lab for Social and Psychological Support, Accompaniment, and Rehabilitation at KNUIA is well-positioned to offer expertise on the psychological aspects of veteran reintegration and crime prevention.

The outcomes of this consultation will inform Ukraine's updated national strategy on organized crime, ensuring a more inclusive and evidence-based approach to addressing the complex challenges faced by veterans and society as a whole.

Webstory at the UNODC website: https://www.unodc.org/poukr/en/webstory_workshop_consultation-series-organized-crime-risks-associated-with-veterans_2024.html