The Jean Monnet Alley was laid in Chernivtsi as a symbol of the realization of European values in education, science and sports / EVUESS (07.04.2025, Chernivtsi)
On April 7, on the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Peace and Development, a ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the Jean Monnet Alley was held at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. This initiative is part of the European Union’s Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Module, “Integration of European Values into Ukrainian Education, Science, and Sport,” aimed at introducing European values into Ukrainian education, science, and sport.
The event began at 9:00 a.m. with a nationwide minute of silence to honor the memory of Ukrainians killed in the war with the Russian aggressor. After that, the National Anthem of Ukraine was played, which united all those present in a joint performance, emphasizing national unity and unbreakable spirit.
Professor Iryna Osovska, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, International and Humanitarian Activities, delivered a welcoming speech. She emphasized the importance of such initiatives for the spread of European values among students and noted the symbolism of the alley planting as an important contribution to the formation of the European vector of Ukraine’s development.
Professor Yurii Moseychuk, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture, Sports and Rehabilitation, project participant, emphasized that the students of the faculty have been participating in the project for the second year in a row, and their active participation is a symbol of the desire of young people to integrate European values.
The project coordinator, Associate Professor Yaroslav Galan, spoke about the figure of Jean Monet as one of the architects of European integration and also introduced the participants to the essence of the module implemented at the university within the Erasmus+ program, with an emphasis on its value component and relevance to the youth of Ukraine. He also noted that the planting of the alley symbolizes the growth and spread of European values in Ukraine, reflecting the desire for unity, peace, and cooperation promoted by Jean Monet. Trees, like Monet’s ideas, take root, grow stronger, and branch out, creating a solid foundation for future generations.
Among the honored guests of the event were Dmytro Fedortsov, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Educational and Organizational Activities; Vitaliy Kindzerskyi, Chairman of the Trade Union Organization of University Teachers and Staff; Anna Hakman, Chairman of the University Alumni Association; Yaroslav Zoriy, project participant, Professor; Andriy Antoniuk, representative of the Honorary Consulate of Austria in Chernivtsi Oblast, as well as the Director of the Regional Center “Sport for All” and combatant Andriy Zaplityn, a champion of the European Karate Games; Emil Ibragimov, Ukraine’s record holder in athletics; employees, students and the public.
After the official part of the event, the participants planted the first tree of the Jean Monnet Alley, which will become a living symbol of European values and the desire for peace and development. In the future, it is planned to continue planting trees, expanding the alley and involving students and staff of the university in this process.
This event was an important step in strengthening European values in the university community and emphasized Ukraine’s desire to integrate into the European space.
Special thanks to the university’s Botanical Garden for their assistance in planting and providing thuja seedlings, which was a symbolic start to our green initiative.
Prepared with materials from Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.