Participation of representatives of the Institute of International Relations in the International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy

On 6 October, representatives of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service of the Institute of International Relations and Diplomacy – Head of Department, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Viktor Matvienko, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor Vyacheslav Tsivaty, and Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor Natalia Rylach – took part in the sixth annual conference of the Ukrainian Association of International Relations and Diplomacy.

The forum traditionally brought together representatives of the public sector, higher education institutions, international organisations, cultural institutions and civil society, Ukrainian and foreign diplomats to discuss the role of cultural diplomacy, education and science in times of global transformation and war.

In her welcoming speech, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska emphasised that education, knowledge and enlightenment should be the main components of cultural diplomacy today. An important role here is played by the state initiative Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, which is actively scaling up, bringing together universities and research centres - thousands of students and young scientists in different countries who will study the history, language, culture and present day of Ukraine in their higher education institutions.

"Spreading knowledge and understanding is a noble mission that can influence our future by building trust, overcoming prejudices and shaping critical thinking." - Ukrainian Institute.

In his speech, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga emphasised that cultural diplomacy today is part of our diplomacy of strength. It is a very powerful tool of influence.

During the forum, the first "Dalga" award was presented, established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute to honour laureates for their contribution to the promotion of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar languages.

"By strengthening our culture and language, we strengthen our roots, affirm our national identity and shape a worldview based on our own history and traditions," said Andriy Sybiga.

According to the minister, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has prioritised culture for the coming year. In this context, Ukrainian diplomacy will continue to work on attracting international funds to strengthen support for cultural development.

Speakers at the forum included:

• Volodymyr Sheiko – Director General of the Ukrainian Institute;
• Oleksandra Matviychuk – human rights lawyer, chair of the Centre for Civil Liberties, Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2022);
• Serhiy Kyslytsya – First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• Anna Shelest – Director of Security Programmes at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Institute;
• Oleksandr Sushko – Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation;
• Yevhen Kudriavets – First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine
• Natalia Khanenko-Fryzen – Director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, Canada;
• Rari Finnin – Professor of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Cambridge, and others.

The Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service expresses its sincere gratitude to the Ukrainian Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for the invitation, as well as for their ongoing partnership, expert support and fruitful long-term cooperation in providing internships for students at the Institute of International Relations and Diplomacy of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

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Prepared based on materials from the Office of Olena Zelenska, the Ukrainian Institute, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.