The second GLOBAL DIGITAL SOCIAL FORUM 2024 kicks off in Kyiv: opportunities for communities

Today, September 27, 2024, the second GLOBAL DIGITAL SOCIAL FORUM has started, bringing together more than 300 participants - representatives of the Government, businesses, NGOs and international partners.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine in partnership with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

During the Forum, speakers will outline the most advanced solutions in the field of social services digitalization, including the possibilities of electronic case management and the impact of innovations on social services. New Government initiatives and platforms will also be presented.

The Forum will be a platform for discussing new approaches to the digitalization of social services, including the preservation and development of human capital through innovative technologies. The priorities of the Ministry of Social Policy are to help everyone who needs support, promote economic empowerment and social integration to ensure a decent life for everyone.

“Our focus is on every person - nobody is left behind. We provide support to those who need it and strive to restore everyone's economic capacity, ensuring social inclusion and a decent life for those who cannot work. To do this, we use innovative digital solutions that make social services more accessible and of higher quality, while the system more efficient and transparent,” said Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine.

Coordinated solutions in the political and digital spheres to improve the efficiency of social services is the way Ukraine is moving along today.

“Digital transformation of the social sphere is one of our priorities. We are launching digital services so that Ukrainians can receive the necessary support without unnecessary bureaucracy. Together with the Ministry of Social Policy, we are building a new logic of processes in the sector based on quality data and digital technologies. The development of the Unified Social Information System and the launch of services in Diia simplify access to social support. This allows citizens to receive services in a few clicks without wasting time in queues,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russian troops has made effective social support essential. Digitalization makes it possible to apply for support online or in person anywhere in Ukraine, and the state, for its part, provides such assistance quickly and efficiently.

“We are pleased to be a part of this Forum, as we believe that innovative technologies play a critical role in helping the most vulnerable. Supporting initiatives such as the digitalization of social services is an important part of our joint work, enabling us to respond effectively to the war-related crisis and create a solid foundation for the development of social infrastructure in Ukraine,” said WFP Resident Representative in Ukraine Richard Reagan.

The implementation of digital processes would not have been possible without the support of international partners and working together on digital projects.

“Millions of Ukrainian citizens, families and children will soon benefit from an improved digital system that will make social services more accessible and transparent. We are proud that our cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Ministry of Digital Transformation has reached such an important stage. Together with our partners, we will conduct training and a national communication campaign to ensure that the new digital case management system will make the work of nearly 4,000 social workers more efficient. This innovative system will ultimately help children and families access vital services,” added Munir Mammadzadeh, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine.

For more details, please, visit the Ministry of Social Policy official website.

Broadcast in English: https://www.youtube.com/live/KDZAhPeTMgA?si=c3O_vchjtrGdqtYW