On 7-8 November 2024, the European Studies for Technical Specialities at Lviv Polytechnic National University (EUSTS) project, with the support of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Programme, held a youth forum ‘Your European Perspective’ to promote knowledge about the EU. The event brought together young people who share European values and support the European future of Ukraine. The aim of the forum was to develop a clear vision of Ukraine's future in the EU among Ukrainian youth.
The forum focused on topical issues of Ukraine's integration into the EU and the prospects for young people from EU membership. During the event, the participants discussed the challenges and prospects of Ukraine's European integration, the role and opportunities for young people on the path to the EU, and the skills that young European ambassadors should have.
The event brought together 120 participants, including students, postgraduates, teachers, government officials and civil society representatives. The broad geographical representation of the participants was particularly impressive, with representatives from 22 regions of Ukraine.
The event began with welcoming remarks by Nataliia Chukhrai, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and International Relations of Lviv Polytechnic National University, Kateryna Terek, Deputy Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in Lviv, and Yaryna Turchyn, Director of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of Lviv Polytechnic National University and EUSTS Project Coordinator.
The key speakers of the event were Kateryna Terek, Olena Pavliuk, Maria Pigura, and Solomiya Hovorukha, who outlined the key areas of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, opportunities for young people in the context of European integration, the success of the city of Lviv in European integration, the features of the Lviv Youth Capital 2025 project, and the leadership skills that young diplomats should have.
As part of the youth forum, the EUSTS team held a workshop on writing projects on ‘EU Opportunities for Ukraine’. Students worked on the following topics: ‘Donetsk Airport, Trypillia Thermal Power Plant, Mariupol Drama Theatre, Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, and Okhmadyt. The participants were tasked with developing a creative plan to restore one of the Ukrainian facilities that was destroyed by the Russian occupiers. It was necessary to draw up a restoration budget, develop a communication strategy, find sources of fundraising, and think through a strategy for involving the EU in this project. All participants coped with the task and presented their results. The best projects were awarded prizes from the organisers based on the results of voting, including on social media.
The second day of the forum was organised with the support of the Ambassadors of European Youth initiative and the team of the Trade Union of Students and Postgraduates of Lviv Polytechnic National University. The main focus of the day was a simulation game called ‘Youth Model of the European Parliament Session’. The participants learnt more about the history of the EU and its institutions, took part in a quiz and competed in a knowledge contest. During the simulation, the participants were divided into 5 committees that developed relevant resolutions on education, culture, environment, social sphere and regional development. At the end of the simulation, the participants voted in favour of all the resolutions presented by the committees. The simulation of the European Parliament allowed the participants to feel themselves in the role of MEPs, learn the skills of reasoned discussion, compromise and teamwork.
All participants of the Youth Forum received certificates of participation for 15 hours. The event received positive feedback from the participants, as well as a number of recommendations that will be taken into account in the future.
The EUSTS project team is sincerely grateful to everyone for their active participation and invites you to join our next events.
More information about EUSTS is available on the project website within the Lviv Polytechnic Portal.
