10 Break-Out Sessions
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Q&A with Lisa Yasko
In the midst of war, a new generation of Ukrainian politicians is playing an increasing role. Parliamentarian Lisa Yasko, 31, is one of them. She traveled to the St. Gallen Symposium to talk about the need to reform international organisations to prevent conflicts in the future.
BIO: Lisa Yasko is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament of the 9th convocation elected in the 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election and a member of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation. Born in Kyiv, she has also worked as a documentary filmmaker.
Picture: Markus Ketola
What is your primary goal for participation in the symposium?
To act as a voice for Ukraine. This is my work and what I believe I can do to make at least a small change, because I’m not a soldier right now. But everyone should be a soldier in some field.
What lessons can we learn from the war and the international reaction to it?
Mainly that we did not learn our lessons from the past. It became obvious that international organisations, like the UN and the Council of Europe, need to change. We need to have real tools that can protect peace and security. And [these organisations] cannot be running on double standards.
Do you have any advice for the Leaders of Tomorrow?
Open your heart—do not just think rationally, but also feel the world. Be different—do not just follow the rules that were established many years ago. If you are a Leader of Tomorrow, you need to build new rules and projects.
What can be done to overcome traumatisation in Ukraine?
I am sure that we are the strongest nation in the world right now, and everyone admires us. Legends spread about people going out onto the streets and standing in the way of Russian tanks, without hesitation. It’s very impressive. Yes, we have traumas. But we will deal with that. Making international organizations more effective is what the international
You mentioned you were impressed by the political position that Switzerland took in support of Ukraine. What exactly surprised you?
Switzerland’s response has been quite progressive and positive: Sanctions, freezing Russian assets, standing up for human rights, welcoming Ukrainian refugees and, most importantly, making such decisions very quickly.
