As part of the project “Civil Society in Conflict Resolution: EU Experience for Ukraine,” a round table discussion entitled “Ukrainian Civil Society in Conflict Resolution: Current Situation” was held on April 22 at the National University of Ostroh Academy.
Dmytro Shevchuk, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work at the National University of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, delivered the opening remarks:
“Today, we are experiencing an existential crisis related to the war. The state must fulfill its defensive functions, and civil society must help the state while also controlling it. Ukraine is fighting and defending its independence. We have come to understand to a large extent what our true value is: freedom, democracy, and civil society in particular. I hope that your speeches, reports, and discussions will provide an opportunity to seriously reflect on the issues raised at the round table.”
Olena Shershnova, Rector’s Assistant for project activities of the National University of Ostroh Academy, PhD in Public Administration, Associate Professor, and project manager, presented the project “Civil society in conflict resolution: EU experience for Ukraine.” In particular, Dr. Shereshnova spoke about its goals, objectives, activities, main opportunities, multidisciplinary team, advantages, challenges, and the specifics of the first and second years of the project’s implementation.
The speakers at the round table were:
- Vadym Lyubomyrskii, Head of the Psychological Service at NAU, practical psychologist, practical psychologist at the Ostroh AC Resilience Center;
- Natalia Hnatiuk, President of the NGO “Stara Volyn Sustainable Development Fund,” Hrytsiv, Khmelnytskyi region;
- Kateryna Yakunina, assistant to the rector for strategic development and quality assurance at NAU, candidate of historical sciences, associate professor;
- Olha Stetsiuk, head of the Project and Investment Department of the Ostroh City Council, co-founder of the NGO “Center for Social Transformation.”
During the meeting, participants discussed current projects and training programs on mental health preservation at the Ostroh TG Resilience Center; sustainable recovery of communities and regions of Ukraine and the OSTRIV concept; the role of religious organizations in stabilizing/destabilizing the situation in Ukraine during the Russian-Ukrainian war; volunteering and leadership, the formation of a new culture of active action by youth organizations.
“The situation and the cases we discussed today reflect various aspects of modern life: psychological resilience, new concepts and approaches, religious and youth organizations, and even the scientific community. All of this can influence decision-making and the formation of a positive situation at the level of higher education institutions, communities, regions, and the entire planet. We sincerely thank everyone who participated in today’s round table. We look forward to seeing you at new events of the project,”
summed up Olena Shershnova.
For reference:
The project “Civil Society in Conflict Resolution: EU Experience for Ukraine” (101084973 — EURoCoRP — ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH), implemented by the National University of Ostroh Academy and co-funded by the European Union, aims to promote the values of EU civil society in conflict resolution and raise awareness of contemporary hybrid conflicts.
Author:
Solomiya Kostenkova
Source:
https://www.oa.edu.ua/ua/info/news/2025/22-04-02
