The Ukrainian diaspora has always been proactive and self-sufficient, with the vision to anticipate the future and the means to achieve common goals. This tactic of uniting for the stability of the community is especially relevant today, in face of Russia’s genocidal war against our state.
The International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations, Lviv Polytechnic National University, is initiating a panel discussion «Ukrainian Institutions Abroad: From Self-Reliance to Sustainable Development». The aim is to analyze these phenomena, identify effective models of self-reliance and their transition to institutional sustainability that can be scaled or adapted in other countries, and to develop proposals for supporting Ukrainian organizations abroad.
The panelists will discuss how Ukrainian institutions, organizations and initiatives abroad have transformed their activities: from responding to urgent needs to strategic development, building partnerships and strengthening sustainability.
Panelists at the event
- Zenon Koval, executive member of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), political advisor to the European Congress of Ukrainians (ECU) and the Society of Ukrainians in Belgium. He is also a Belgian diplomat of Ukrainian origin, Ambassador to the French-speaking governments of Belgium (1996–2019) and Special Counselor to the Embassy of Ukraine in Brussels (1992–1994).
- Inna Hryhorovych, Chair of the Association of Ukrainian Teachers (AUT) in Great Britain, Director at the Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust, Director of the St Mary’s Ukrainian Schools in London, UK. In June 2023, her work has earned her the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) as part of the King’s birthday honours list for special contribution and service to the United Kingdom and for outstanding contribution to the development of education.
- Anastasiia Plakhtiy, co-founder, president of the Ukrainian House in Rzeszów, educator, referent at the Stanytsia Plast Rzeszów, winner of the 100 Most Successful Women of Lviv Region 2021 award, volunteer at the Charitable Foundation «With an Angel on His Shoulder».
- Iryna Klyuchkovska, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations, Lviv Polytechnic National University, scientist, public figure, Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine, and Honorary Professor at Lviv Polytechnic.
The panel discussion will feature the following issues:
- What practices can be considered successful cases of sustainable development among Ukrainian institutions?
- How are partnerships with governments, international organizations and local municipalities developing?
- What is required to preserve the long-term capacity and independence of communities?
- How do Ukrainian institutions integrate their humanitarian mission with the preservation of identity and the promotion of a positive image of Ukraine?
- In what ways do values serve as the foundation for sustainable projects and foster trust within communities?
Particular attention will be given to the role of the new wave of migration, triggered by Russia’s war, in strengthening and advancing Ukrainian institutions abroad.
- Registration for the panel discussion (required if you wish to receive a certificate)
- Registration for the 18th Ecumenical Social Week «Developing Sustainable Institutions in Times of War: Values, Self-Reliance and Partnership»
The event will take place on October 8, 2025 in the Zachariewicz Hall (room 214) in the main building of Lviv Polytechnic National University. The event starts at 10:00
