16.12.2025
On 3 December 2025, Child Rights Protection Center in Kharkiv was opened at NURE. This multifunctional space, operating as the public reception office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Kharkiv region, was created to support children who have suffered from war or witnessed violence. The Center operates according to the international ‘Barnahus’ model.
This landmark event highlights the important role of NURE not only as an educational and scientific centre but also as an institution that is actively involved in solving social problems in the frontline region. Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets attended the solemn opening ceremony.
The Center was established with the assistance of international partners, whose presence demonstrates a shared global commitment to protecting children in wartime. Among the guests were Gaël Vessier, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Ukraine, Kristin Enstad, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway, Munir Mammadzade, Head of the UNICEF Office in Ukraine, Mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov, and Representative of the Commissioner in the Kharkiv region Olena Sibilova.
The university was represented at the event by Rector of NURE Igor Ruban, who received a letter of thanks from Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets for his assistance in opening the Center.
‘The opening of such a Center at our university is a recognition of our active civic position and trust on the part of state and international institutions. We understand our responsibility and are ready to provide space and the necessary resources for such an important social initiative aimed at supporting the future of Ukraine – our children,’ emphasised Igor Ruban.
Natalia Dashenkova, head of the social and psychological service at NURE, employee of the Center for Gender Education, scientific consultant to the Service for Accessibility to Educational Opportunities “NURE without barriers”, is a member of the Expert Council under the Representative of the Human Rights Commissioner in the Kharkiv region. The Expert Council is a permanent consultative and advisory body that provides expert (scientific, advisory) support to the Representative on human rights issues, allowing it to directly influence the improvement of the child rights protection system by combining a scientific approach with practice.
