In January 2011, the VR ARC Secretariat with the PDP II’s assistance has created a special excursion program for different groups of visitors (official delegations, Crimean students and pupils, etc.). Helen Tamashova - one of the ten interns supported by USAID’s Parliamentary Development Project - has been instrumental in developing the tours conducted for 1.5 hours for groups of up to 15 persons.

During the excursion, the participants are able not only to learn about the history of the parliament and see the building, but they also visit the office of elected members, have discussions with Mr. Efim Fix, the Chair of the Commission on the Work of the Verkhovna Rada of the ARC and Public Relations, and also learn about how the Secretariat of the VR ARC works.

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See PDP's  translation of this Article below:

To make Crimea the best place in the world!

Crimean parliament opens its doors to students

The Supreme Council of Crimea is a workplace for the head of the republic's parliament, members of the Presidium and members of parliament. It is not easy for anyone to get inside the building. But not during the autonomy’s anniversary year. From now on excursions for students are held every Thursday.

This time the most important institution in Crimea was attended by students of the Simferopol educational complex "School-kindergarten № 15."

Visitors gathered near the main entrance long before the deputy head of the Secretariat of the SC ARC - Head of the Administration Department Tatiana Marilovtseva, and Parliamentary Development Project intern Elena Tamashova came to meet them. It seemed that high school students were very excited about the upcoming excursion. It is not a routine thing to visit the place where plenary sessions take place, decisions are made and from where the republic is governed.

Students are asked if they know where they came to.

“- To the Supreme Council! To deputies!

- Are you interested in politics?

- A little bit.

- And what is the reason for it?

- We want to make reforms! To pass laws! To make Crimea best place in the world!”

Their first meeting is with the Head of the Standing Committee of the SC ARC on legislation and Legal Affairs - Ludmila Lubina, who is already waiting for young people in her office.

She greets them. “– Welcome! Such a nice meeting! There is always something to talk about with young generation. Does anyone of you have already decided what to do in the future? Are there any future politics, lawyers?  “

It turns out that there are some students, who want to study law in the future.

One of the students asks if it is possible for female lawyer to build career.

“- Good specialists are always needed – responds Lyudmila Lubina. – There are a lot of women in law-enforcement authorities. And, it must be mentioned that they deal with they work on the same level as men. Law requires a lot of thoroughness, diligence and patience. I’ve been working as a lawyer for many years. Solving legal issues is a very time-consuming process. There is never enough time. You have to sacrifice your personal life and family. But if you have desire and abilities, it is worth trying. “

After this guests are taken to the parliament session room and are offered to take places of Presidium members. Helen Tamashova starts with asking students what they know about the Crimean autonomy, anthem, flag and Coat of Arms. Children answer instantly; they studied this at the history lessons. But it turns out that they have little idea about the structure of the Supreme Council and its activities. Helen speaks about those topics.

Efim Fix – Head of the Standing Committee on organizational matters of the Supreme Council and Public Relations puts aside all his work, to meet visitors. Being an experienced politician he clearly and simply speaks about how and when the autonomy was restored, how the Constitution of Crimea was adopted, and which socio-economic development issues are acute now. Head of the Commission explains to students that it is of highest importance for Crimea today to follow its main goal - to become the resort of the European level, and be “pearl of Ukraine”. "I am glad that deputies, regardless of their political affiliation, have unanimous understanding: it is no longer possible to stay at the same level, we must work together to go forward," - he said.

Of course, during the conversation, issues of youth were touched upon. Young people with great interest listened about opportunities that will appear for them in future. Efim Fix spoke about the necessity of social safeguards: opportunity to find a job after graduation from university, development of the mortgage lending system.

Answering to questions, he also spoke about problems in education sphere. “We need high-skilled engineers, builders, health resort and tourist business professionals” - stressed the politician. “We should improve the level of higher education. There are 90 universities in Crimea (for comparison there are 64 in France)! But this is still not a guarantee for the high quality of knowledge”.

In the end kind parting words were said to visitors.

“- You will finish school soon. That is a wonderful time for you to define your future. There is a whole lifetime ahead and you should carefully choose what you want to do. External independent evaluation exam gives such opportunity. Everyone is in equal conditions. Spare no time and effort. Learn! Be bold! And let your dreams become reality. There is a chance that some of you will take leading positions in the republic and state. Everything is possible if you do your best and follow your goal”.

During the excursion guests were shown the press-centre and the session hall. They saw, where the most important events in the republic take place, and took pictures near the attributes of Crimean authorities.

Undoubtedly, young people will remember this day for a long time. They will share their impressions with friends, teachers and parents. And maybe, a few years later, some of them will return to this building to be a politician.

The staff of the Supreme Council, seeing students off, wished them happiness and success in their further studies. And also persistence on the way to their dreams.