Invited Lecturers

On 23 October 2024, within the framework of the discipline ‘International Organisations’ for 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in ‘Country Studies’, a lecture was given by Mr Shabliy Serhii Matviiovych, Head of the Council of Europe, Human Rights and Gender Coordination Department of the Diplomatic Mission of Ukraine. The lecture was devoted to the Human Rights Protection System within the Council of Europe.

On 28 October 2024, Serhii Shablii, Head of the Council of Europe, Human Rights and Gender Coordination Division of the Department of International Organisations, gave a lecture on ‘Ukraine in the activities of the Council of Europe’ for 2nd year students of the Master's degree programme in Diplomacy and International Cooperation.

The lecturer focused in detail on the activities of the Council of Europe in such aspects as the role of Ukraine in the activities of the Council of Europe, the negative impact of Russia on the effectiveness of the Council of Europe and the fact of Russia's exclusion from the Council of Europe. Also, Serhiy Shabliy gave specific examples from the activities of the European Court of Human Rights and other institutions of the Council of Europe. The students were very interested in the information, and asked many questions to the lecturer on various aspects.

On 24 October 2024, first-year master's students of the Diplomacy and International Cooperation programme attended an interesting and informative lecture on ‘Analytical Support of Foreign Policy Activities’ as part of the course ‘Public Administration and Foreign Policy Decision-Making’. The lecture was delivered by Andriy Karakuts, Advisor to the International Initiatives Division of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the lesson, students gained valuable applied knowledge on the organisation of analytical work both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in foreign diplomatic missions (FDI). Particular attention was paid to the preparation and writing of analytical documents, communication between central offices and foreign diplomatic missions, as well as the importance of networking with non-state actors and scenario planning.

Andrii Mykolaiovych generously shared his advice and professional guidance, emphasising the key competencies required for a successful career in international relations. The students actively participated, asked questions and received thorough answers.

We express our sincere gratitude to Mr Karakutz for his participation and useful knowledge, and invite everyone to the next lectures of the department!

On 25 October 2024, a lecture by Mr. Yurii Mushka, Ambassador-at-Large of the Second Territorial Department, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Slovakia in 2016-2022, graduate of the Institute of International Relations in 1991, was held for 2nd year students of the Master's degree programme in International Relations within the discipline ‘Multilateral Diplomacy and Mechanisms for Regulating Modern International Relations’.  

During the lecture, the lecturer focused on important aspects of international relations and state recognition. He gave practical examples from his work. He also focused on the demarcation of borders.

Yuriy also spoke about bilateral relations with Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. He analysed the interstate debate over the Zmiinyi Peninsula. He focused on Ukrainian-Hungarian relations and Hungary's position in the international arena and its policy towards Ukraine. He also answered students' questions about the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the tasks of diplomats, and the functions they perform at the present stage.

On 28 October 2024, the Deputy Director of the Department - Head of Division 3 of the Territorial Department of the Consul General of Ukraine in Rio de Janeiro gave a lecture. Ambassador of Ukraine to Peru (2018-2020) Ihor Tumasov for the 3rd and 4th year students of the Bachelor's degree programme, speciality ‘Country Studies’ on the topic ‘Ukraine's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean: prospects and features, coincidence and differences of positions’.

The lecturer focused on the relations and peculiarities between Ukraine and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The lecture was very informative and interesting and was accompanied by a presentation. The students were very interested and asked a lot of questions.

On 28 October 2024, Olena Yalova, Director of the State Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, PhD in Law, gave a lecture on ‘Protocol and Ceremonial Peculiarities of Visits at the High and Top Levels’ for the 1st year students of the Master's degree programme in International Finance and Investment.

The lecturer spoke about the practice of organising visits at the highest and highest levels. She identified the key points in the preparation of such visits. She also noted that visits at the highest and highest level play a crucial role in the foreign policy activities of the state. It is through direct communication between senior officials of states that it is possible to quickly and authoritatively resolve acute and complex issues of international life. The lecture was very interesting. Students asked many questions about the organisation of protocol ceremonies and visits.

On 27 November 2024, as part of the discipline ‘Diplomatic History of Ukraine’, the 1st year students of the Bachelor's degree programme ‘Country Studies’ had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by Volodymyr Yatsenkivskyi, Ambassador at Large of Ukraine, on ‘Priorities of Ukraine's Foreign Policy at the Present Stage’. 

Despite the air raid, the lecture continued in a shelter, where students had the opportunity to communicate in a dialogue format and ask Mr Ambassador questions about current issues of international relations and foreign policy of our country. 

The Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service expresses its deepest respect to the dear Volodymyr Volodymyrovych and looks forward to further fruitful cooperation in the future.

On 08 April 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a great opportunity to get acquainted with the practice of modern diplomacy took place. Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Volodymyr Yatsenkivskyi visited the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations to meet with the 1st year students of the Master's degree programme ‘Diplomacy and International Cooperation’ and gave an extremely interesting and practical lecture on ‘Professional qualities of a diplomat in the context of geopolitical transformations of the XXI century’ within the discipline ‘Diplomatic Service and Law of Foreign Relations’. 

In a highly engaging style and using his own practical experience, the Ambassador described: 

• professional requirements for a modern diplomat;
• psychological aspects of diplomatic work;
• regulatory and legal regulation of the modern diplomatic service;
• models of foreign diplomacy.

The lecture was made possible thanks to the long-standing practice of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where diplomats-practitioners are involved in teaching academic disciplines. In this way, students gain invaluable knowledge and practical skills in the field of practical diplomacy to be better prepared for their future profession.

The next master class by Mr Volodymyr Yatsenkivskyi is scheduled for May.

On 12 March 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by the Director General of the Ukrainian Institute Volodymyr Sheiko on ‘Content, Priorities and Tools for the Implementation of Ukraine's Cultural Diplomacy’ within the discipline ‘Fundamentals of Diplomacy and Diplomatic Service’ for 1st year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Relations. The lecture was held at a very high, professional level. 

The lecturer spoke about the activities of the Ukrainian Institute. Volodymyr Sheiko also spoke about the key concepts of cultural diplomacy, emphasising the importance of diplomats' professionalism in protecting national interests through cultural cooperation. The speaker also shared his own experience in the diplomatic and consular service, the results of cooperation with foreign partners after the full-scale invasion of Russia. The students were very interested and asked a lot of questions.

On 14 March 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Department of Public Diplomacy and Communications, Heorhiy Tykhyi, on the topic: ‘Ukraine's Information Policy in Times of War’ within the discipline ‘International Information and Communication’ for 4th year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Communications.

The lecture was held at a very high, professional level. The lecturer spoke about the information policy of Ukraine, which is taking place in the context of war. The speaker shared his own experience of information policy against the backdrop of the Russian invasion. The lecture was very interesting and informative, and the students were very interested in it, so they asked a lot of questions about Ukraine's information policy.

On March 18, 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Third Territorial Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ruslan Mykolayovych Spirin, on ‘Integration Processes in Latin America’ within the discipline ‘European Union Law’ for 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Law.

The lecture was held at a very high, professional level. The lecturer told the students about the idea of Latin American unity during the struggle for independence in the nineteenth century. The key stages of integration were considered: from the first attempts, reforms and current trends. The lecturer paid attention to economic, political, social and cultural factors. Ruslan also noted that integration remains an important strategy for Latin American countries and the future of the region will depend on the ability of member countries to overcome differences, find compromises and jointly solve urgent problems.

On 21 March 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture by Doctor of Law, Professor Olena Bakalinska, Head of the Innovation Development and Investment Support Division of the Department of Economic Diplomacy, was held on the topic: ‘Economic Diplomacy’ within the discipline ‘Theory and Forms of International Economic Relations’ for 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Economic Relations. 

The lecturer spoke about an important area of diplomatic relations and a means of protecting the country's foreign economic interests. She emphasised the sustainable development goals aimed at addressing complex and interrelated issues that require the involvement of all stakeholders in various sectors and areas. She also highlighted how economic issues have always been in the focus of diplomatic relations between states and have been raised by diplomats at all historical stages of international relations, as they have contributed to the establishment of effective economic cooperation and the resolution of national economic interests of states. 

On 25 March 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by Iryna Shum, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Communication, on the topic: ‘Public Diplomacy: the Role and Importance of Ukraine's Foreign Policy’ within the discipline ‘Foreign Policy of Ukraine’ for 4th year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Business. 

The topic was the coverage of Ukraine's public diplomacy during the years of the full-scale invasion. Ms Iryna paid a lot of attention to both the theoretical basis and interesting cases from the work of the department. The students had the opportunity to ask questions related to the current challenges Ukraine faces in the field of the lecturer's specialisation, as well as the practical work of diplomatic and consular missions and the central office of the MFA. 

On 27 March 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Lebanon (2016-2022) Ihor Ostash on the topic: ‘The role of the Foreign Ministry in promoting Ukrainian culture abroad during the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the example of the Middle East’ within the discipline ‘Humanitarian Factor in World Politics’ for 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in Country Studies.    

The lecturer spoke about the peculiarities of Ukraine's cultural diplomacy in Lebanon. He focused on the peculiarities of Lebanon's history, religion and culture. The lecturer shared with the students his personal experience of creating modern cultural diplomacy projects and their results. We are especially grateful to Bila Andriana, assistant and postgraduate student of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, for her help in meeting with Ihor Ostash.

On 31 March 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a great opportunity to get acquainted with the world of public diplomacy of Ukraine took place. The Director of the Department of Public Diplomacy and Communications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Victoria Lyalina-Boyko visited the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations to meet with the 1st year students of the Master's degree programme ‘Diplomacy and International Cooperation’ and gave an extremely interesting and practical lecture on ‘Public Diplomacy: Role and Importance in Ukraine's Foreign Policy’ within the discipline ‘Diplomatic Protocol and Professional Ethics’. 

In an extremely engaging style and using a wide range of factual material, the diplomat revealed a number of ‘hot’ issues of modern Ukrainian public diplomacy, in particular:

• how the Public Diplomacy Strategy for 2021-2025 works in times of war;
• how public diplomacy activities are targeted depending on the specifics of the country and region;
• What is ‘data-driven digital campaigns’ and how modern tools such as toolkit, message box, storytelling, etc. are used in the work of the Department;
• what is unique about public diplomacy projects under the First Lady's patronage;
• how important it is to use non-standard and creative steps in the work of a diplomat and much more!

The lecture was made possible thanks to the long-standing practice of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where diplomats-practitioners are involved in teaching academic disciplines. In this way, students gain invaluable knowledge and practical skills in the field of practical diplomacy to be better prepared for their future profession.

On April 03, 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by the Director of the Department of Economic Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Candidate of Political Sciences, Spyridonova Kira Oleksandrivna on the topic: ‘Ukraine in International Economic Cooperation’. for the 1st year students of the Master's degree programme ‘International Economic Relations’ within the discipline ‘Quantitative Methods of Analysis of International Economic Relations’, she held a master class for students of the Master's degree programme ‘International Economic Relations’. 

During the master class, Kira discussed issues within the framework of Ukraine's economic diplomacy. In particular, cooperation with the EU, the consequences of sanctions against Russia, trade wars, logistics and insurance for Ukrainian exporters. She also spoke about the issue of refugees from Ukraine to the EU and migration policy. The lecturer also highlighted the peculiarities of internships at the MFA and the functions of the Department of Economic Diplomacy. 

On 08 April 2025, the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, hosted a lecture by Volodymyr Pakhil, Counsellor of the South Asia Division of the Fourth Territorial Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Indonesia (2012-2020), Representative of Ukraine to ASEAN (2013-2020), Candidate of Political Sciences, on ‘Integration Processes in the Asia-Pacific Region. ASEAN: Prospects for Ukraine’ within the discipline “Law of the European Union” for 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme “International Law”.  

The lecturer outlined the current trends in the development of integration processes in the Asia-Pacific region, focused on the peculiarities of ASEAN's functioning and activities, its role in the region. Trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region are analysed. Particular attention was paid to highlighting the problems and prospects for the development of relations with the countries of Southeast Asia. Volodymyr Oleksandrovych's lecture aroused considerable interest among the students.

On 08 April 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by Rostyslav Palahusynets, Deputy Director of the Department of State Protocol - Head of the Office Delegations Reception Division of the Department of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doctor of Public Administration, on ‘Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Opening of Diplomatic Missions’ within the discipline ‘Fundamentals of Diplomacy and Diplomatic Work’ for 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Business. 

The lecture was devoted to the establishment of diplomatic relations between states and the process of opening diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Ukraine. He outlined the main stages of opening a newly established diplomatic mission of a foreign state in Ukraine. Rostyslav Vasylovych presented to the audience the stages of institutionalisation of relations between states, in particular, the exchange of ambassadors, presentation of credentials, and diplomatic activities of ambassadors in the host country. He also illustrated the original documents of credentials, which the students were able to see. The lecturer touched upon such important aspects as the appointment and recall of the head and members of the diplomatic mission, the arrival of the head of mission to the host country, and the presentation of copies and originals of credentials. The lecturer's practical experience was of particular value, especially in the context of martial law in Ukraine.

On April 09, 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a lecture was held by Svitlana Krysa, Deputy Director, Head of the Consular Services Division of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on the topic ‘Functions of consular offices. Consular privileges and immunities’ for the 1st year students of the Bachelor's degree programme “International Relations”.  

The lecture was dedicated to the activities of the Consular Service of Ukraine. Svitlana Anatoliivna spoke about adherence to universal human fundamental values, the principles of reciprocity, and the protection of the rights and interests of Ukrainian individuals and legal entities abroad. She stressed the importance of creating conditions for maintaining contacts with Ukrainians abroad. 

On April 11, 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, an extremely interesting meeting of the 4th year students of the specialisation (elective block) ‘European Law’ of the Bachelor's degree programme ‘International Law’ with Ms Svitlana KRYSA, Deputy Director - Head of the Consular Services Division of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine / MFA of Ukraine in the format of the discipline ‘European System of Human Rights Protection’ took place.

Ms. Svitlana Krysa delivered two lectures on ‘Citizenship issues’ and ‘Migration and visa policy of Ukraine in the context of European integration’, during which she highlighted the most pressing issues and challenges that the Ukrainian consular service has to face in the context of large-scale aggression against our country. We thank our consuls for all their efforts to protect the interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad!

On 09 April 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a practice-oriented and inspiring professional meeting with Ms Olena Yalova, Director of the Department of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, was held. This masterclass was held with the 1st year students of the Master's degree programme in International Business in the format of the Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette course. The topic of this masterclass was: ‘Protocol and Ceremonial Peculiarities of Visits at the High and the Highest Levels’. In her presentation, Olena Yalova focused on:

• classification, objectives and goals of visits;
• peculiarities of preparing visit programmes;
• protocol elements of meeting guests;
• issues of ceremonial during high-level and top-level visits;
• gifts in protocol practice, etc.

The lecture was made possible thanks to the long-standing practice of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where diplomats-practitioners are involved in teaching academic disciplines. In this way, students gain invaluable knowledge and practical skills in the field of practical diplomacy to be better prepared for their future profession.

The students thanked Ms Olena Yalova with a standing ovation for the interesting lecture and received comprehensive answers to all their questions.

On 11 April 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, a meeting was held with Nadiia Koval, Advisor to the International Initiatives Division of the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The lecture was held with the 2nd year students of the Master's degree programme ‘Foreign Policy and National Security’ in the format of the discipline ‘Ukraine and the Settlement of International Conflicts’. 

The topic of this lecture: ‘Ukraine's goals in the war and after it’. In her presentation, Nadiia Yevheniivna highlighted the issue of Russia's armed aggression: proactive and reactive goals, a bilateral interstate war with different types of international support for both sides, local and global aspects of the confrontation.  She stressed that Ukraine's partners provide financial and military assistance, political support, but do not participate in the war. She also noted Russia's support within and outside of formal alliances - Iran's provision of attack drones; military and other forms of indirect support to the DPRK.

On 17 April 2025, with the assistance of the Department of International Organisations and Diplomatic Service, an extremely interesting meeting of 2nd year students of the Bachelor's degree programme ‘International Relations’ with the Director of the First Territorial Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr Rostyslav OHRYZKO, took place in the format of the discipline ‘Foreign Policy of Ukraine’. 

Rostyslav Volodymyrovych gave a lecture on ‘Evolution of German policy in the context of support for Ukraine’, during which he emphasised how German policy affects the support for Ukraine. After the lecture, Mr Rostyslav talked to the students, who asked a lot of questions about the internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.