Lecture by the Deputy Director of the Department of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Ms. Natalia Nikiforak

On April 15, 2026, with the assistance of the Department of International Organizations and the Diplomatic Service of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, a practice-oriented professional meeting was held with Mrs. Natalia NIKIFORAK, Deputy Director of the Department of State Protocol – Head of the Department of Reception of Official Delegations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. This master class was held with students of the 1st year of higher education of the "Master" OP "International Business" in the format of the academic discipline "Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette" (Assoc. Professor Viacheslav TSIVATYI). Topic of the master class: "Protocol and ceremonial features of visits at the highest and highest levels."

The lecture was devoted to the practice of organizing and conducting protocol events in foreign diplomatic institutions, official and diplomatic correspondence, activities of the doyen and the diplomatic corps in the host country. The lecturer described in detail the ceremonial features of visits at the highest and highest levels, diplomatic acceptance as an effective tool of diplomacy and the form of foreign policy activity, which involves the holding of solemn events that are part of diplomatic protocol and ceremonial. These can be receptions on the occasion of national holidays, public holidays, anniversaries or other important events held by diplomatic missions, ministries of foreign affairs or governments. The purpose of such events is to maintain official relations, exchange information and strengthen international cooperation between states and international institutions. The lecturer focused special attention on the national peculiarities of diplomatic practices in the protocol and organizational provision of state visits of various levels.

Of particular interest to those seeking higher education during the discussion is the thirty-year practical experience of Mrs. Natalia NIKIFORAK in the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and during long-term foreign missions to European countries, especially in the conditions of martial law in Ukraine.

The lecture was made possible thanks to the long-term practice of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, within the framework of which diplomats-practitioners join the teaching of academic disciplines. In this way, students of higher education receive invaluable knowledge, professional competences and practical skills in the field of practical diplomacy in order to be better prepared for their future profession.

Those seeking higher education thanked Mrs. Natalia NIKIFORAK with thunderous applause for an interesting lecture, and received comprehensive answers to all their questions.

See you again at the Center for Public and Cultural Diplomacy of the National Institute of Foreign Studies (office 106, 1st floor, coordinators: Prof. Viktor MATVIENKO, Assoc. Prof. Viacheslav TSIVATYI), which functions under the Department of International Organizations and Diplomatic Service!