On April 8, 2025, FNP held the conference “Bridges for the Future: Polish and Ukrainian Science for Democracy and Development” as part of the #ForUkraine programme. The event brought together researchers – laureates of the #ForUkraine programme – along with experts and representatives of institutions supporting Polish-Ukrainian cooperation. Participants discussed scientific research, the role of science in strengthening democracy, civil society, and European integration in the context of the war in Ukraine, as well as the shared challenges facing both countries.
Prof. Maciej Żylicz, President of the Foundation for Polish Science, opened the conference emphasizing the importance of international scientific collaboration in light of current social and political challenges.
Mykola Hranovskyi, First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland, spoke next. He congratulated the #ForUkraine programme laureates on their research achievements and expressed his gratitude for the support provided to Ukrainian researchers by the Foundation for Polish Science and the entire Polish academic community.
Dr. Sofiia Azovtseva, Programme Officer at the Foundation for Polish Science, followed as the next speaker. She presented the outcomes of the four editions of the #ForUkraine programme to date, highlighting its impact on the development of scientific research and the integration of academic communities in both countries.
The first panel focused on the challenges and future directions of scientific cooperation in the context of the ongoing armed conflict. The participants stressed the importance of solidarity and joint efforts to rebuild and advance science in Ukraine.
The following three panels focused on presenting the results of projects conducted under the #ForUkraine programme. The programme’s laureates shared insights into their research.
The second panel addressed the role of communication policy in shaping the image of a democratic state. The speakers analyzed communication tools and their effects during wartime, drawing on the experiences of both Ukraine and Poland.
The third panel explored the process of building democratic societies, along with the challenges and prospects faced by both countries. The discussion covered topics such as the rule of law, judicial independence, and the integration of Ukrainian children and youth into the Polish education system.
The final panel focused on the practical application of results from bilateral projects. The speakers presented research on volunteer engagement in support of Ukrainian refugees, the participation of highly skilled refugees in the Polish labor market, and the integration of young Poles and Ukrainians within the educational context.
The “Bridges for the Future” conference served as an important summary of the achievements of the #ForUkraine programme implemented by the Foundation for Polish Science. It also highlighted the significance and necessity of further strengthening Polish-Ukrainian scientific cooperation.
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Pictures: Paweł Kula