Vitalina Shevchenko works at the Mine Action Office under the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
and holds the position of Youth Delegate of Ukraine to the United Nations for 2025–2026.

After completing a Master of Arts in International Political Economy at the University of York, Vitalina returned to Ukraine and joined the humanitarian demining sector. She has specialised in Victim Assistance, Social inclusion, and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education. She co-authored
the methodological recommendations for mine action operators in Ukraine, “Equal Opportunities: Engaging People with Disabilities in Mine Action”.

During her master’s programme at the University of York, Vitalina conducted six in-depth research projects on international political economy, ranging from the role of rising powers in
global trade to the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on global governance. Her dissertation examined the evolving implications for European security resulting from the Russian invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022, using ontological (in)security theory.

In 2022, as Head of the Student Union at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Vitalina led a team that developed and implemented humanitarian policy response to the Russian full-scale invasion. Their work protected 20,000 students, promoted peace, and organised the evacuation of over 300 students, who were provided with temporary free accommodation. Recognising Vitalina’s work as a Student Leader, the University of York awarded her with an Honorary Master’s Degree, for her efforts in student protection and promotion of peace.

In addition, in 2022 Vitalina worked as a Social Integrator at the Temporary Protection Centre in Spain, facilitating the social and economic integration of temporarily displaced Ukrainians. 

Since 2021, Vitalina has served as a Young European Ambassador in Ukraine, advocating for EU values among young people and promoting opportunities for youth initiatives and exchanges. She herself has participated in numerous youth programmes, including an Erasmus
exchange at the University of León in Spain in 2022. In addition, she has actively engaged in youth-oriented activities, sharing accurate information about the war in Ukraine at leading UK universities such as King’s College London, the London School of Economics, and the University of York.

Vitalina speaks Ukrainian, English, and Spanish.