Introductory speech at the International Conference of the Erasmus Student Network “To the future in EUnity: education and student mobility” (24.07.2025, online)
On 24–25 July 2025, a two-day international conference was held in Berlin (Germany) at TU Berlin and Europa Experience Berlin as part of the “EU Immersive” project, organized by ESN Ukraine. The event brought together about 50 participants, including young changemakers, Ukrainian students studying both in Ukraine and abroad, and Erasmus+ community members to discuss the future of European education and Ukraine’s integration into the EU.
Kateryna ZHDANOVA, Senior Manager of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, joined the event with a welcoming speech. She emphasized the importance of student leadership in times of change and the role of youth as the key driver for the internationalization of Ukrainian universities. During her speech, Kateryna ZHDANOVA provided an in-depth overview of the current state of education in Ukraine during the war, highlighting the severe losses and the devastating impact on the academic community. She drew particular attention to the necessity of close cooperation with the #ErasmusGeneration to foster support and synergy for Ukraine’s recovery. The speaker emphasized the current lack of incoming mobility to Ukraine and stressed the urgent need for active advocacy and support for Ukrainian students, both those remaining in the country and those residing abroad as displaced persons due to the martial law.
The conference programme included:
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Internationalization Discussions: Developing best practices for Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) based on comparative learning experiences in Ukraine and EU countries;
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Thematic Workshops: Interactive sessions and debates on higher education reform and the development of student mobility;
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“Model EU Parliament” Simulation: Practical exploration of EU political processes through role-play at the Europa Experience Berlin center;
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Networking and Cultural Programme: Ukrainian cultural evenings that facilitated building connections between future partners.
The event served as a vital platform for rethinking international cooperation and forming a shared vision for an inclusive academic space in Europe.