On April 16-17, a series of lectures by Marek Ziulkowski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Ukraine (2001-2005), took place at the National University of Ostroh Academy.
During the visit, the diplomat shared with the students his many years of experience in international relations, security, and diplomatic service. The lectures were devoted to topical issues in modern international politics and to the role of cooperation among states in strengthening regional stability.
The lectures were an essential part of the educational process for Master's students enrolled in the interdisciplinary programme "Global Communication Management." These sessions were a key component of the students' professional development. Additionally, students specialising in "National Security" and "International Relations" attended the lectures. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the nuances of diplomatic activities, the mechanisms of international cooperation, and the prospects of the Ukrainian-Polish partnership.
Marek Ziulkowski opened the discussion on "Diplomacy as the Key to Security and Development" by highlighting the critical role of diplomatic tools in preventing conflicts, fostering trust between nations, and establishing conditions for sustainable development. He emphasised that effective diplomacy relies on strong political institutions, a well-defined strategic culture, and a profound understanding of the international landscape. Ziulkowski particularly noted the importance of combining soft power tools with security policies, as well as the significance of integration into the European Union and NATO as foundational elements for stability and economic growth.
In the context of the discussion titled "Poland-Ukraine: What We Can Gain," Marek Ziulkowski highlighted the strategic significance of the partnership between Poland and Ukraine in light of current challenges, particularly Russian aggression. He emphasised that Ukraine's success is a crucial security factor not only for Poland but also for the entire region. Additionally, the diplomat outlined the potential for bilateral cooperation in areas such as Ukraine's reconstruction, the development of economic ties, and the enhancement of cultural and scientific collaboration. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a responsible dialogue on complex issues of historical memory.
Speaking about the topic "NATO: national and allied interests", the diplomat drew attention to the need to reconcile the national interests of member states with the collective goals of the Alliance. He emphasised NATO's role as the main guarantor of security, particularly through close cooperation with the United States of America, and outlined the prospects for Ukraine's interaction with the Alliance in times of war, amid growing cyber threats and the transformation of the European security architecture.
Within the framework of the topic "Development Cooperation", Marek Ziulkowski focused on the importance of economic integration, energy security and the principles of sustainable development as integral components of modern security policy. He cited Poland as an example, which, thanks to its membership in the European Union, has achieved significant economic growth. Also, he drew attention to current challenges, including cyber threats, food and energy security. Special emphasis was placed on the need to transition to renewable energy sources as an important factor of long-term stability.
Iryna Tserkevych, a 1st year student of the educational and scientific programme "Global Communication Management," shared her impressions of the lectures:
«At Mr Marek's series of lectures, we raised several important issues. First of all, special attention was paid to the definition of the term "security" in the present and to NATO's role on the world stage of international confrontations. It is especially valuable that Mr Ambassador shared practical cases of diplomatic work.»
The meetings took place as interactive dialogues, with students actively asking questions and receiving detailed answers from the speaker, thereby enhancing the meetings' meaning and usefulness.
