Bridging Communities at the UN in Vienna

We opened a new season for YOU!Community on 4 February with a visit to the United Nations Office at Vienna, bringing together YOU!Community and the VIC Ukrainian Club and setting the tone for a year of meaningful connection and collaboration. The meeting created space for open exchange in a warm, informal setting focused on professional integration and cultural diplomacy. The discussion featured Solomiia Omelian, President of the VIC Ukrainian Club, alongside EUCFI Co-Founders Olga Olefirova and Olena Bekreniova, who introduced their organisation and Professional Integration HUB community. The event was moderated by Liudmyla Sirychenko. Participants shared their professional journeys, exchanged ideas, and explored potential paths for future cooperation. The conversation also touched on the importance of mutual support, the challenges of starting over in a new country, stereotypes surrounding Ukrainian professionals abroad, and the responsibility of representing Ukraine with dignity in international environments. These reflections directly connect to the mission of EUCFI and the Professional Integration HUB: strengthening professional confidence, challenging limiting narratives, and supporting Ukrainian specialists in building meaningful careers while contributing positively to the societies they are part of at every level. We sincerely thank the VIC Ukrainian Club and Solomiia Omelian personally for the invitation and constructive exchange. We also thank the YOU!Community members for their active participation and openness!

Earlier this year, as part of the Re:Generation Open Doors Edition, we coorganised a study visit to the United Nations Office at Vienna, where participants engaged with representatives from five UN departments working on Ukraine-related initiatives, explored internship and career opportunities, and took part in an open discussion that highlighted the value of Ukrainian voices in international spaces.