The European Week of Regions and Cities UBC-hosted workshop session took place on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, putting in focus effective policies for inclusion in cities during and after the war in Ukraine.
The speakers at the event were: Mr Mantas Jurgutis, President, Union of the Baltic Cities; Mr Kaspars Varpins, City of Liepaja & UBC Safe Cities Commission Chairman; Mr Piotr Grzelak, Deputy Mayor City of Gdansk; Ms Marta Lima, Freelance educator, trainer and senior expert on social inclusion and equality from Portugal; Ms Olha Misheivska, Shyrokivska village community and “The Public TV of Zaporizhzhia” NGO representative. The event was moderated by Mr Marko Paunović, Director, Out of The Box International and UBC Brussels antenna.
The panellists presented various praiseworthy initiatives that municipalities have implemented since the start of the crisis. Municipalities within the EU and neighbouring countries have a crucial role in fostering social inclusion and facilitating the transition for refugees from Ukraine. Although many challenges have emerged so far and still keep emerging, the response mechanisms are set in place with the goal to leave no one behind. Ms Olha Misheivska joined the meeting from Ukraine during one of her volunteer missions and shared her experiences and the current state in her community. She emphasized how all support provided for people in and outside of Ukraine is meaningful in so many ways and expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed.
United. That is how we make a positive impact in this extremely negative situation.
Remember:
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted’’. – Aesop