interview with Mariia Parkhomenko (una usa member)
by: alexa dominique pascual and cassian peña

In this interview, Mariia, a youth advocate, Ukrainian refugee and intake coordinator at Catholic Charities, shared her journey with UNA-USA and her insights on global affairs. She discussed her experience in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of providing youth with more opportunities in international relations, such as internships and Model UN simulations. Maria also highlighted the progress of women’s empowerment in Ukraine, particularly in political representation. She addressed the ongoing challenges of corruption, the need for increased military and humanitarian aid, and the importance of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, noting its growing impact in Ukraine. 

Alexa: Welcome, and thank you both for joining me today. We are delighted to have this discussion and appreciate your time. Mariia, how are you?

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Mariia: Hi, I'm good. How are you? It’s great to see you again. Thank you for having me here.

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Alexa: It’s wonderful to have you. Before we begin, let me introduce our organization. My name is Alexa, and this is my colleague, Cassian. We are both youth advisors specializing in European policy within the In-Network. Our role involves interviewing youth advocates , and primary focus includes foreign policy, gender policy, and security affairs.

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Cassian, would you like to add anything?

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Cassian: Yes, thank you, Alexa. Maria, it’s a pleasure to speak with you today. I believe we briefly met before. My background is in national security and global affairs, and I’m very interested in discussing the security concerns surrounding Ukraine and your insights as a youth advocate.

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Mariia: Thank you both. It’s an honor to be here and to contribute to this discussion.

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Alexa: To start, could you share your experience with UNA-USA? How long have you been a member, and what has your journey been like within the organization?

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Mariia: Certainly. I work as an intake coordinator at Catholic Charities Community Services in New York City, where we assist Ukrainian refugees through the PCIRU program (Preferred Communities Intake and Referrals for Ukrainians).

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I joined UNA-USA in Fall 2021 while completing my master’s at Western Michigan University. I was eager to engage in UN-related opportunities and was fortunate to participate in various discussions and initiatives. I later attended the Global Engagement Summit in New York City, which was an inspiring experience.

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Alexa: That’s incredible. There are some youths who are unaware of foreign policy, and that’s precisely why we created In-Network—to educate and engage youth in international affairs. Given your background, how do you think we can inspire more young people to get involved in global affairs?

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Mariia: Great question. While teaching political science at Western Michigan University, I observed that many students wanted to participate but felt their voices didn’t matter. The key is creating more opportunities—internships, volunteering, forums, and Model UN simulations—to empower them. Unfortunately, political science and international relations internships remain limited compared to STEM fields, which is something we need to address.

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Cassian: That’s an important point. Speaking of opportunities, how would you compare the availability of internships and political engagement opportunities in Ukraine versus the U.S.?

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Mariia: Surprisingly, I found more opportunities in Ukraine, particularly through European collaborations. Before coming to the U.S., I participated in numerous internships, workshops, and projects with European students. In the U.S., I struggled to find similar opportunities, especially as an international student. However, American students may have more access to such experiences.

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Alexa: That’s interesting. There are opportunities in Washington, such as the EU office and the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. I encourage you to explore them. Before the war, Ukraine already faced challenges in gender equality, particularly regarding the pay gap and political representation. Could you share insights on the progress made in women’s empowerment in Ukraine, especially in recent years?

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Mariia: Absolutely. After the Soviet Union collapsed, women faced significant barriers to political participation. In the 1990s and early 2000s, most political representatives were men. However, over the last five to seven years, we’ve seen positive changes. The government has introduced scholarships and leadership programs for women, and more women are now active in political parties and parliament.

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Alexa: That’s encouraging progress. As someone involved in NATO affairs, I’d like to ask—how do Ukrainians generally feel about joining NATO? Is there widespread support, or are there concerns about economic implications?

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Mariia: Ukrainians overwhelmingly support NATO and EU membership. Our society values democracy, human rights, and liberal values. Many believe that if Ukraine had been a NATO member, Russia would not have launched this war. Our military has grown significantly stronger over the past decade, and we are determined to meet NATO standards.

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Cassian: That’s insightful. Another issue often discussed is corruption. Before the war, Ukraine had one of the highest corruption indexes in Europe. How do you perceive this issue, and do you believe Ukraine has made progress in addressing it?

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Mariia: Corruption remains a significant challenge due to the post-Soviet political system. Early Ukrainian leaders allowed oligarchs to control major industries, and our institutions were not strong enough to prevent corruption. Presidents Poroshenko and Zelensky have worked on anti-corruption measures, but further reforms are necessary. Younger Ukrainians are motivated to bring transparency and accountability, and we recognize that tackling corruption is crucial for joining NATO and the EU.

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Cassian: That’s an important perspective. As the war continues, do you believe the alliance should adjust its foreign policy regarding Ukraine? Are there any areas where humanitarian or military aid could be improved?

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Mariia: First, we are incredibly grateful for U.S. support. The military aid and financial assistance provided have been crucial in defending Ukraine and democracy as a whole. However, Ukraine urgently needs more weapons and advanced technology to counter Russian aggression. Additionally, we need continued humanitarian support, especially for occupied regions where civilians lack access to aid.

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Alexa: That’s vital information. Many people don’t understand that if Ukraine falls, Russian aggression could extend further into Europe. Educating the public about the importance of foreign policy and defense is critical.

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One final question—how do you view the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and its impact on Ukraine?

Mariia: The WPS agenda is essential, and I hope it will bring significant positive change. However, its impact is still developing. Women are actively serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, and many young girls have had to take on roles they never expected. One major concern is that humanitarian aid does not reach occupied territories, leaving many women and families without support. I believe NATO and global allies should enhance their strategy to ensure aid reaches all affected individuals.

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Cassian: That’s a crucial point. Your insights have been incredibly valuable. As this situation evolves, we’d love to continue this conversation.

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Alexa: Absolutely. Before we end, would you be interested in joining one of our future panel discussions in Washington, D.C., or New York?

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Mariia: I’d be honored! Thank you for this discussion. I truly appreciate your work in advocating for Ukraine and global diplomacy.

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Alexa: Thank you, Maria. We look forward to staying in touch and seeing you at future events.