Arqus Summer School on Democracy: Ukraine on the road to Europe!

The Arqus Summer School on Democracy will begin at the University of Wrocław on Monday 22 May: Ukraine on the Road to Europe. The event will last until 26 May and is part of a project that is an initiative of the UWr International Office and the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) to establish cooperation between Ukrainian universities and members of the Arqus Alliance of European Universities. The Democracy Summer School is being organised this year for the first time in cooperation with Arqus and the Office of the European Commission in Wrocław, but the initiative follows on from the Democracy Summer School, which has been organised at the UWr Institute of Political Science since 2013.

The war in Eastern Ukraine has been a major challenge for Ukraine′s EU integration efforts. The conflict has displaced millions of people and destroyed infrastructure. Despite these difficulties, Ukraine has made progress in reforming its economy and strengthening its institutions. The war has also created a new generation of Ukrainians who are committed to European values and willing to fight for their country′s future.

The Ukrainian government has set the goal of becoming a member of the European Union. This is a long-term project that will require significant reform, but it is achievable. The benefits of EU membership are clear: increased trade, investment, and economic growth. Membership would also bring political stability and security to Ukraine.

The “Arqus Summer School on Democracy: Ukraine on the Road to Europe” at the University of Wroclaw is the first summer school organised by the University of Wrocław in partnership with the Arqus European University Alliance and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Wrocław. However, this initiative alludes to the Summer School on Democracy organised by the University of Wrocław (Institute of Political Science) since 2013. The school will provideyoung scholars with the opportunity to engage in a critical reflection on the Ukraine’s current political and economic transformation.

The summer school will take place from 22 to 26 May 2023 in Wrocław, and expecting to host more than 20 participants. The focus of the school is on “Ukraine on the Road to Europe”. 

During the five days of school, participants will have theopportunity to attend lectures and workshops, and share their points of view on the Ukrainian democratic path to the European Union, and the current war situation. PhD candidates from Ukrainian universities would present political, social and economic changes caused by the war, and PhD candidates from Arqus would present the political, social and economic consequences of war in Ukraine on their countries. The detailed topics are supposed to be related to the scientific interest of individual participants. 

In addition, they will have a chance to visit institutions in Wroclaw such as the Office of the European Parliament in Poland, museums, and other historical institutions.

The school will provide a unique space for open and frank discussions on sensitive topics related to Ukrainian society’s European choice. It also offers an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging views among young European professionals from different regions of the country. Overall, the event contribute to a better understanding of euro-Atlantic integration processes among its participants and helped them develop the necessary skills for effective advocacy of Ukraine’s European aspirations.

More information can be found on the website.