As part of the implementation of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet project “Studying the Principles and Values of European Politics from Pericles to the Present,” a scientific conference titled “Ukraine’s Path to the EU: Challenges and Opportunities” took place on December 9 at the National University of Ostroh Academy.
The project director, Professor Dmytro Shevchuk, the NaUOA Vice-Rector for Research and Teaching, moderated the meeting.
“One of the academic events we planned as part of the project is today’s conference, dedicated to European integration. Thank you for joining the event despite all the challenges we are facing today. The presentations submitted by the participants – professors, graduate students, and undergraduates – cover various aspects of the topic, including political, educational, and other dimensions. We are glad to have the opportunity to implement such an important project at Ostroh Academy.”
Vitalii Lebediuk, Cand. Sc. (Public Administration), Associate Professor of the Department of National Security and Political Science at the NAOA, Head of the School of Political Analysis "Polis," and a member of the project team, added:
"We encourage submissions to our peer-reviewed academic journal, 'Agora. Journal of Social Sciences.', where we focus on interesting empirical research and which we are currently adapting to meet new requirements."
In particular, within the framework of the conference, the following presentations were delivered:
- Yaroslav Kichuk, Rector of the Izmail State University of Humanities, presented on the topic "The Role of the University in Developing Cross-Border Cooperation in the Context of the 'Lower Danube' Euroregion"
- Pavlo Bulgak, PhD student at the National University of Ostroh Academy and advisor to the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, spoke on the topic "The Functioning of Democratic Institutions in Ukraine on the Path to the EU Membership"
- Ihor Todorov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor at Uzhhorod National University, discussed the topic "Prospects for Ukraine's EU Accession Negotiations in the Context of Hungary's Position";
- Volodymyr Trofymovych, Doctor of Sciences (History), Full Professor, Head of the Prof. M. Kovalskyi Department of History at the National University of Ostroh Academy, presented on the topic: "Ukraine's Eurointegration Course: Problems, Obstacles, Perspectives";
- Pavlo Lohvinov, Candidate of Sciences (Economics), Associate Professor of the Viktor Fedosov Department of Finance at Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University, discussed the topic: "Modern International Financial Instruments for Ukraine's Sustainable Development"
- Dmytro Slesarenko, student at the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, presented on the topic: "The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the System of International Relations";
- Alina Semes, a Master's degree student at the National University of Ostroh Academy, talked on the topic: "EU Security and Defence Initiatives During the Full-Scale Invasion."
Additionally, during the breakout sessions, political, cultural, social, and economic aspects of Ukraine’s European integration were discussed.
First-year Master's student in the Global Communication Management programme at the NUOA, Alina Semes, shared her impressions of the event:
"The participants' presentations stood out for their depth of analysis: from security and defence reforms to economic integration, rule of law, and institutional resilience. The conference created a space for honest dialogue, outlined real opportunities and challenges, and reinforced the confidence that the path to European integration is irreversible, with concrete steps already shaping Ukraine's future within the EU."
