Youth Work with Displaced Ukrainian Youth: How the Final Conference went

The final conference of the "Youth Work with Displaced Ukrainian Youth" project took place on October 10-11, 2024, at Hotel Gromada Centrum in Warsaw, Poland. The event brought together over 50 participants from Ukraine, Poland, and other European countries, including high-level representatives, youth workers, and international experts. The conference focused on the challenges and solutions related to supporting displaced Ukrainian youth, with discussions revolving around key issues such as youth policies, education, and international cooperation.

Key Panels and Discussions

The conference featured three major panels, multiple presentations, workshops, and informal networking opportunities. These formats allowed for an in-depth exploration of the unique needs and challenges faced by displaced Ukrainian youth. Some of the key discussions included:

Panel I: Vision and Perception of Displaced Ukrainian Youth

This panel explored how displaced Ukrainian youth are viewed both in Ukraine and Europe. Speakers such as Piotr Tyma (historian and former Head of the Association of Ukrainians in Poland) and Jessica Zychowicz (Director of the Institute of International Education, Kyiv) provided historical and educational insights, while others like Igor Krawetz (journalist) and Aldo Perez (WIENXTRA) discussed the importance of media and international youth work in shaping youth resilience. The panel emphasized the need for comprehensive youth policies and closer collaboration between Ukrainian and European institutions.

Panel II: Youth Voice, Values, and Responsibilities

This session highlighted the importance of empowering Ukrainian youth and their active role in shaping policy. Speakers like Artur Aheiev (former Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the UN) and Marianna Yeleiko from the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation emphasized youth involvement in humanitarian efforts. Representatives from the Young European Ambassadors program, including Karolina Rybchanivska, shared experiences of building youth communities. The panel concluded with recommendations for enhancing youth participation in policymaking.

Panel III: Summary of Problems, Needs, and Actions

The final panel summarized the key challenges displaced youth face and proposed actions to address these issues. Maryna Popatenko (former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine) and Ruslan Yaremchuk (Head of Palanka Local Community) discussed domestic challenges like funding and infrastructure gaps, while Violeta Moskalu (Global Ukraine) highlighted the importance of international support and integration efforts.

Presentations from Project Partners

• Vladyslav Yatsuk (Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine) discussed state initiatives to support displaced youth.

• Lesia Mukoseieva (Association of Youth Workers of Ukraine) emphasized the role of youth workers in fostering engagement and professional development.

• Natalia Stanislavchuk (Palanka Community) shared grassroots approaches to supporting displaced youth through civic engagement.

• Natalia Kryvoruchko (Zakarpattia Council on Displaced Youth and SOS Children's Villages Ukraine) highlighted specific challenges in Zakarpattia and ongoing efforts to support vulnerable youth.

European Partner Contributions

Representatives from Austria, France, and Poland shared experiences of supporting displaced youth through cross-cultural and educational programs. Organizations like Stand with Ukraine Foundation (Poland), Exchanges Lorraine Ukraine (France), and WIENXTRA (Austria) discussed their role in fostering youth integration, civic responsibility, and cultural preservation.

Poster Exhibition

The traveling exhibition “Responsibilities We Share,” provided by the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation, creatively interpreted the Declaration of Human Responsibilities and emphasized the global importance of shared human duties. This exhibition highlighted Ukraine's leadership in establishing Human Responsibility Day, celebrated annually on October 19.

Conclusion

The conference highlighted the importance of multi-level cooperation between Ukraine and its European partners to address the unique challenges faced by displaced Ukrainian youth. The discussions provided valuable insights into existing problems and actionable recommendations for the future, with a focus on empowering youth, enhancing education, and preserving Ukrainian identity in host countries. The event successfully aligned with the goals of the Youth Work with Displaced Ukrainian Youth project, funded by Erasmus+ and implemented by WIENXTRA and other partners, showcasing a strong commitment to supporting displaced youth across Europe.

The organizers also provided a live stream of the event, so we invite you to watch how the conference went: