Network of European Information Centers together with the project «Teraz Wroclaw» held a web conference, “I am Ukrainian. I am European?”
Among the issues discussed during the video-conference, young people actively debated on the Europeanness of Ukrainian cities and our state as a whole. Due to that members of the conference represented almost all geographical regions of Ukraine, quite different opinions were expressed, sometimes even a bit pessimistic. Representatives of Chernihiv and Luhansk had a lively debate on this issue. Participants also responded to the question, “What we, civil society, can do to improve life in our country?” While the responses were quite different, all participants supported the common vision of that changes have to “start with yourself and your environment”.
The conference also offered a unique chance to communicate with Ukrainian students studying in Poland, thanks to the project “Teraz Wroclaw”. Since issues of education, bribery in universities, introduction of paid services, quality of education and employment opportunities are crucial for young people around the world, participants of the web-conference could learn more about the state of education in Poland and share their experience of studying in different universities of Ukraine.
Many youngsters who had no previous experience of participating in events of such format noted easiness of discussions and friendly atmosphere. One of the participants, Oksana Kondratovych, a student of Luhansk National University named after Shevchenko, said, “This is my first time at such conference. Due to the European Information Centers we received a great opportunity to communicate with students from different cities of Ukraine and Poland, discuss those issues that interest young people concerning European integration of our country. I hope such events will happen more frequently”.
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Web-conference was organized on the initiative of the European Information Center of Luhansk and Sustainable Development Agency of Luhansk region, under cooperation of the Network of European Information Centers in Ukraine.
Network of European Information Centers of Ukraine is a voluntary association of European Information Centers that provide access to information resources and conduct education and information activities aimed at promoting knowledge on European integration of Ukraine. At present, the Network unites 15 centers, created with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation in 2005-2008, and a center based in Kremenchuk information center “European Club”. Web portal of the Network of European Information Centers of Ukraine – http://ukrcei.org, e-mail: ukrcei@gmail.com
“Teraz Wrocław” project is a non-profit project launched in 2006 on the initiative of the municipality and universities of Wroclaw (Poland). The main goal of the action is to invite young people from Eastern Europe to study at Wroclaw higher educational institutions, and inform about admission conditions and studying. Website: www.study-in-wroclaw.pl
Source and photo: European Information Center of Luhansk
Contact person: Nadiya Sokolova, 050 7250258
