Challenges & opportunities for displaced educators

Once again, important issues regarding the challenges faced by internally displaced persons, particularly displaced educators, were discussed. Considering that the country has been in a state of war for a long time, the number of such issues has significantly increased. It is worth noting that the NGO "Progresylni" is among the first to offer practical help to educators. During the panel discussion, Tetiana KONOVALENKO, Vice-Rector of the displaced Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Melitopol State Pedagogical University, emphasized this point. Many members of the NGO have been forced to leave their homes, and some have even had to relocate multiple times. However, all educators who are members of the NGO "Progresylni" are united by their dedication to their work and their commitment to sowing the seeds of knowledge and truth among the young generation of Ukrainians.

Natalia PAVLENCHYK, the Coordinator of the Isle of Progress at the Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture, initiated the event on the topic: "Challenges & Opportunities for Displaced Educators." The initiative was supported by the Organizational Development Coordinator of the NGO "Progresylni," Yevheniia SHELEST. Natalia PAVLENCHYK is a shining example of an educator who combines teaching with heading a university department and actively engaging in volunteer work. Therefore, she understands better than most the challenges faced by displaced educators.

The event was attended by educators from various universities and different parts of the country. Among them were those who organized the relocation of their educational institutions and those fortunate enough to continue working within their familiar surroundings. It is worth mentioning that the event took place in the main building of the Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture, which is a historic building that once belonged to the Regional Bank of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria.

After getting acquainted with the university representatives, the architecture of the university, and the registration of participants, the event began with a presentation from the NGO "Progresylni." Yevheniia SHELEST shared the history of the organization, the geographical distribution of its members, and some important figures. The number of Ukrainian educational institutions that had been damaged stood at 3,428, with 365 completely destroyed, and around 7 million citizens had become internally displaced as of October 30th, 2023.

The panel discussion speakers were:

Tetiana KONOVALENKO — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Vice-Rector of the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Melitopol State Pedagogical University.

Mariia ARTEMENKO — Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Design Department, First Vice-Rector of the Kherson National Technical University.

Oleksandr KYRIIENKO — Head of the Council of Young Scientists of the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Melitopol State Pedagogical University.

Oksana CHUB — Head of the Employment Promotion Department "Perspektyva" of the Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University.

Svitlana KRYSHTАNOVYCH — Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology at the Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture, representative of the Habilitation HUB "Prozhyttia"/("About Life").

Vladyslav ZHYTENIOV — a Master's degree student in "Management" at the Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture, originally from Mariupol.

The issues of the main challenges faced by displaced educational institutions and educators during the full-scale war were addressed by Tetiana KONOVALENKO, Oleksandr KYRIIENKO, and Mariia ARTEMENKO, who represent displaced universities.

Mariia ARTEMENKO answered questions about educational reforms during the full-scale war and how these reforms affect displaced higher education institutions that must compete equally for applicants.

Vladyslav ZHYTENIOV shared his proposals and thoughts on how to support displaced youth and what needs to be done to bring them back to Ukraine. Vladyslav is a student who was caught by the start of the war in his hometown of Mariupol when he went home for vacation. Now he has lost not only his home but also friends who have shown themselves in different ways. His recommendations for self-support: engage in sports and work that distracts from intrusive thoughts.

Oksana CHUB shared priorities in the education system and labor market in the context of the country's recovery, relying on international research on these issues, experience, and the development of various state strategies. She also emphasized the importance of supporting educators who are abroad for objective reasons and the significance of higher education as an economic driver of post-war reconstruction.

Svitlana KRYSHTАNOVYCH presented the work of the Habilitation HUB "Prozhyttia" and opportunities for ensuring resilience for displaced educators.

A pleasant conclusion to the first part was a group photo of all participants.

During the coffee break, everyone had the opportunity to visit a charity fair in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fair featured paintings, jewelry, souvenirs, treats, herbal teas, and other handmade items.

The second part was held in a training format, where professional trainer Olena FURSA invited participants to explore their strengths and areas for development. The team of "Progresylni" educators managed to surprise the trainer with their proposals regarding identified areas for development. The list of proposals included: tolerance, the ability to relax and love oneself, impartiality, personal brand development, and improving language skills.

There are already agreements among participants to hold similar events to support internally displaced educators and discuss topics that concern everyone.

Let's rebuild and support Ukraine together!