How to Launch the “GOVORY” Program from the Center for Child Dignity in the Community: The Experience of Lviv

The team at the UCU Center for Child Dignity has prepared an interview offering practical advice on how to implement the “SPEAK UP” program in schools, organizations, and communities. Using Lviv as an example, where the project is already operating successfully, experts explain where to start the implementation, how to make it comfortable for children and staff, and what helps turn child safety into a systematic practice.

The “GOVORY” project is not a one-time initiative or a “Safety Week.” It is a systemic solution that helps communities build a culture of trust and child protection.

Launching “GOVORY” means more than just installing a safety button. It is a decision to change our approach: to put the child at the center and create an environment where their voice matters.

In Lviv, the program has been implemented in 128 schools. But behind this number lies not just a technical process, but work with administrators, principals, teachers, parents, and children. How was this achieved? What worked? And what do communities that want to follow this path need?

We’ve compiled key insights from interviews with those who launched “GOVORY” at the city and school levels: Khrystyna Shabat, head of the Center for Child Dignity at the Ukrainian Catholic University; Olesia Mandziuk, head of the Lviv City Council’s Department of Education Development; and Svitlana Matys, principal of Lviv’s 52nd Lyceum.

The Essence and Purpose of the “GOVORY” Project

Khrystyna Shabat, Director of the Center for Child Dignity at UCU

“The project is interesting because it puts the child at the center. We receive information not through adult interpretation, but directly from the child’s own words. And their subjective sense of safety is important to us, because what may seem like a trifle to an adult is an entire universe to a child.”

Olesya Mandziuk, Head of the Lviv City Council’s Education Development Department

“For Lviv schools, the ‘Speak Up’ project is a safe space. School should be a place where a child feels protected and knows that if something is wrong, they can speak up about it. And they will be heard.”

Svitlana Matys, Principal of Lviv Lyceum No. 52

“Today, children face many problems and aren’t always ready to share them. They often can’t solve them on their own. That’s why we need a tool that will help them find support and resolve the situation.”

How the project was launched in Lviv

Khrystyna Shabat, Director of the UCU Center for Child Dignity

“When we talk about the ‘Speak Up’ project, we’re talking about engaging everyone involved in the educational process—parents, teachers, and children. There are specific materials for each group: for parents—explanations of how the system works; for teachers—training and ready-made lessons; for children—online courses and a safety button. It’s a comprehensive approach, not just a single tool.”

Olesya Mandziuk, Head of the Lviv City Council’s Education Development Department

“At the city level, it was important for us not only to have an idea but to understand how it would work technically. We communicated with school administrators, answered complex questions about confidentiality, accountability, and action protocols. Only then were we able to move on to the pilot phase.

“This isn’t about punitive measures. Administrative access is needed to understand trends, analyze challenges, and provide timely support. Many reports aren’t cases of bullying, but the child still needs a conversation and help.”

Svitlana Matys, Director of Lviv’s 52nd Lyceum

“We had our fears. It seemed like there might be an avalanche of reports, that it would become an additional burden. But we decided to give it a try. And we saw that it’s not about chaos, but about structured feedback.

When a child is left alone with the screen, no one is watching or listening. They can honestly describe the situation and know that there will be a response on the other end. This element of trust was decisive.”

What do communities need to implement the “GOVORY” program?

Khrystyna Shabat, Director of the Center for Child Dignity at the Ukrainian Catholic University

“The ‘Govory’ program is, above all, about fostering a culture of safety. The button is merely a technical tool. If there is a culture of trust, children aren’t afraid to reach out to teachers, psychologists, the principal, or their parents.”

Olesya Mandziuk, Head of the Lviv City Council’s Education Development Department

“This isn’t just about decisions—it’s about values. If you understand why and for whom you’re doing this, bureaucratic hurdles fade into the background. We’re talking about consistency and continuity, not a one-off campaign. This is part of a broader effort—raising children in an environment that is intolerant of violence. And that’s exactly how a culture is formed that children will carry forward into their adult lives.”

Svitlana Matys, Director of Lviv’s 52nd Lyceum

“We designated a person in charge of coordinating the reporting process. We held separate meetings with teachers to explain the procedure and discussed it with the children. It was important for everyone to understand how the system works, who responds, and what happens after a report is filed.

This tool is not about punishment. It’s about development, about the opportunity to listen to a child and change the environment. We just need to have the courage to acknowledge that everyone has the right to be heard.”

Lviv’s experience shows that a culture of safety isn’t built in a single week. It requires a systematic approach, a willingness to listen, and the courage to implement new approaches. But the result—a school where children know their voices matter—is worth the effort.

Anyone wishing to register for the program can do so via the link. More information is available in the video interview.