IDM Director in Ukraine
For the third time since the full-scale invasion, IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer went to Ukraine. This time he went back to Kyiv, meeting with several stakeholders as per the Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada. First, Schäffer was accompanied by Tatyana Druzhchenko to Irpin and Bucha, the sites of the horrendous crimes against humanity that have been committed by the Russian army. He also saw the progress that has been made in reconstructing the city. During a working visit to the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada, Schäffer discussed with Lesia Vaolevska among others the continuation of the webinars supporting the European integration of Ukraine (in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems). Afterwards, the IDM Director met with Liliya Gerasymenko from the Educational Centre to discuss potential cooperation as part of the Democracy Workshops of the Austrian Parliament. He also recorded a short video for Europe Day.
Finally, Schäffer was honoured to meet with Secretary General Viacheslav Shtuchnyi in the Verkhovna Rada*. Here he had the chance to get a first-hand update on current developments and have a preview of the planned statehood centre.
Furthermore, the IDM Director met with Tetiana Bibik and Ihor Kohut from the Ukrainian Parliamentary Institute to discuss the implications of the end of USAID for Ukraine and evaluate possibilities for cooperation to alleviate the situation.
During his time in the Ukrainian capital, Schäffer also used the possibility to exchange with friends, finding out how recent geopolitical developments have been shaping their situations and what everyday life in a country at war looks like.
Continuing on to Lviv, the IDM Director had meetings at the OeAD Cooperation Office with Gesandter Robert Müller and Diana Popfalushi. Schäffer also met with Sasha Dovzhyk, Director of INDEX, a new but already very active and important institution fostering documentation and exchange. Future collaborations were explored and first ideas are already under development.
Last but not least, Schäffer held a lecture entitled “No future without Kyiv. Why European integration is decided in Ukraine” at the Faculty for International Relations of the Ivan Franko University Lviv. He emphasized Ukraine’s central role in the current geopolitical struggle and its importance for the EU’s stability, security, and unity. The event drew strong interest from students, academics, diplomats, and civil society. A lively discussion followed on Ukraine’s role in European security, EU enlargement, and future cooperation.
The event was supported by the Ukraine Office Austria, the Austrian Cooperation Office in Lviv, and the Digital Diplomacy Laboratory.
Sebastian Schäffer is grateful for all the interesting experiences and the hospitality during his trip despite the challenging circumstances. A special thanks to Konstantin Polishchuk and Andreas Wenninger for their support. Thank you very much and see you soon!
*Photos from Verkhovna Rada are not available as taking them is not allowed for security reasons.
Further information:
https://austriaukraine.com/uk/impressions/lektsiya-sebastiyana-sheffera-u-lvovi-2/
