On September 27, 2024, the second GLOBAL DIGITAL SOCIAL FORUM officially commenced, bringing together over 300 participants, including representatives from the government, business sector, NGOs and international partners.

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

The forum has become a platform for discussing new approaches to the digitalization of social services, particularly in preserving and developing human capital through innovative technologies. The Ministry's key priorities are providing support to all those in need, enhancing economic resilience, and promoting social integration to guarantee a dignified standard of living for everyone.

"Our priority is each person — no one goes without assistance. We support those in need and work to rebuild economic resilience for all, ensuring social inclusion and a dignified life for those unable to work. To achieve this, we implement innovative digital solutions that enhance the accessibility and quality of social services, while making the system more efficient and transparent," stated Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Oksana Zholnovych.

The approach Ukraine is taking focuses on aligning political and digital solutions to enhance the efficiency of social services.

"Digital transformation of the social sector is one of our top priorities. We are launching digital services so that Ukrainians can access the necessary support without unnecessary bureaucracy. Together with the Ministry of Social Policy, we are developing a new framework for processes in this sector, built on high-quality data and digital technologies. The development of the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere and the launch of services through the Diia platform simplify access to social support. This allows citizens to access services in just a few clicks, without wasting time in queues," said the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development — Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov.

The full-scale invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine has underscored the need for effective social support. Digitalization enables citizens to seek assistance either online or in person from any location in Ukraine, while allowing the government to provide this support quickly and efficiently.

"We are pleased to be part of this Forum, as we believe that innovative technologies play a critically important role in providing assistance to the most vulnerable populations. Supporting initiatives such as the digitalization of social services is a key element of our joint efforts, allowing us to effectively respond to the crisis caused by the war and to build a solid foundation for the development of social infrastructure in Ukraine,"  said Country Director of the UN World Food Programme in Ukraine, Richard Ragan.

The realization of digital processes would not have been achievable without the backing of international partners and joint efforts on digital projects.

"Millions of Ukrainian citizens, families, and children will soon gain access to an enhanced digital system, making social services more transparent and easier to access. We are proud that our collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Ministry of Digital Transformation has reached such an important milestone. Together with our partners, we will conduct training and a national communication campaign to ensure that the new digital case management system enhances the efficiency of nearly 4,000 social workers. This innovative system will ultimately help children and families access the essential services they need." added the Head of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Office in Ukraine, Munir Mammadzade.

Participants can look forward to a comprehensive program, including panel discussions, networking sessions, and workshops.

As part of the Forum, three panel discussions will be held, during which speakers will highlight the latest solutions in the digitalization of social services, including opportunities for E-case management and the impact of innovations on social services. New initiatives and platforms will also be presented.

We invite you to join the discussions online and help shape the future of social services in Ukraine!

Live stream in Ukrainian:https://www.youtube.com/live/KDZAhPeTMgA?si=c3O_vchjtrGdqtYW

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