When Rashyd applied to the Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEE), Russia had not begun its full-scale aggression against Ukraine. However, when he landed in Detroit for his CEE Welcome Orientation, the war was in its seventh month. Rashyd had intended to use this opportunity  to build a general understanding of U.S. democracy and civil society that he could bring back to Ukraine, but the invasion of his home country changed everything for him. In addition to building an understanding, he felt an obligation to make substantial and concrete actions that could provide Ukrainian organizations and Ukrainian people with the support they need in the fight for freedom.

Becoming a leader

Driven by a desire to do what he could to support Ukraine while in the U.S., Rashyd used his time as a CEE Fellow in Washington, D.C. as an opportunity to make a difference. Through his CEE practicum with Open Secrets, Rashyd spoke at local high schools on the Ukrainian electoral process and collaborated with Ukrainian leaders already organizing events to support Ukraine. He connected with local Ukrainian organizations, participated in rallies, and engaged in networking events around the DC area to raise awareness concerning the Ukrainian experience. One highlight from Rashyd’s practicum was the opportunity to attend the Atlantic Festival, where he met journalists who underlined the importance of freedom of media and speech to a country's civic life, and met Ukrainian residents in DC who connected him to rallies, protests, and advocacy opportunities. His objective was clear: to ensure that Ukraine’s plight was heard and addressed by U.S. policymakers.

In his practicum with Open Secrets, Rashyd contributed to the organization’s efforts to strengthen accountability in U.S. public life and learned directly about the importance of transparency in government. Rashyd supported the research team on articles around campaign finance and the influence of money in elections. This exposure to efforts that ensure accountability deepened his understanding of democratic practices and revealed new personal strengths, such as resilience, advocacy, and a commitment to unity.

“Through Open Secrets, I also learned that transparency is most essential for accountability,” reflected Rashyd. “When the public has access to clear and accurate information about political donations, lobbying, and government spending, it helps citizens hold their elected officials accountable, responsible for their actions. Through OpenSecrets, I came to see how transparency serves as an important check on power, and an important aspect of a functioning democracy.”

Civic participation and advocacy

With Open Secrets and fellow Ukrainian advocates in DC, Rashyd took his efforts to Capitol hill. He attended eight meetings with staff from the offices of Senator Tim Kaine (VA), Senator John Hickenlooper (CO), Representative John Wittman (VA), and Representative Doug Lamborn (CO) to champion support for Ukraine. In these meetings, he spoke for increased security assistance to Ukraine, stronger sanctions on Russia, and the recognition of historical injustices such as the Holodomor, a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine that caused the deaths of millions. Though he remained steadfast in his goals, Rashyd felt emotionally exhausted when telling people that Kharkiv, the city he grew up and where he attended university, was being bombed daily. Many of his friends were injured or killed because of these Russian attacks.  

“Perhaps, the main goal of such advocacy is to always remind them that we are here”, reflected Rashyd. “[To] remind [people] of our struggles and our unbreakable will to be wanting to live in a peaceful, and democratic country.”

Since completing his CEE fellowship, Rashyd has been active in applying the lessons he learned during his time in the U.S. He is currently a masters student in politics and governance in the digital age at the University of Tartu in Estonia and previously served as a youth program assistant at the National Democratic Institute.  He continues to lead his own organization, the Youth Democratic Association in Ukraine, and has led events at his university to educate the community on Ukraine’s fight for democracy, past, present and future.