Sumy State University, represented by the Department of International Economic Relations, is pleased to join as a partner in the organization of the International Symposium on Youth Engagement in Cultural Heritage (ISYECH)—an on-site international academic and practice-oriented conference dedicated to exploring the role of youth in the preservation, recovery, and reinterpretation of cultural heritage amid contemporary global challenges. From SumDU, members of the organizing committee include O. Zamora, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of International Economic Relations. Members of the scientific committee include O.Zamora and Yu. Petrushenko, Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Department of International Economic Relations, and S. Dehtiariov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of History at SumDU.
The symposium will be held on 16–17 April 2026 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in an in-person international conference format. The working language of the event is English.
Who is invited to participate:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students;
- Early-career researchers and young scholars;
- Young professionals in the fields of culture, education, history, architecture, tourism, and related disciplines;
- Representatives of youth and civil society initiatives working on cultural heritage topics.
Thematic areas of the symposium include, but are not limited to:
- Youth engagement in the protection and management of cultural heritage;
- Cultural heritage in post-war and post-crisis recovery contexts;
- Memory, identity, and ethical challenges following conflicts and disasters;
- The role of youth in policymaking, sustainable development, and strengthening civil society;
- Practice-oriented approaches and applied case studies in the field of cultural heritage.
Financial conditions of participation
Within the scope of the project, financial support for selected participants may be provided and can include:
- Travel cost reimbursement in accordance with the Erasmus+ distance calculator and green travel principles;
- Accommodation during the event period;
- Meals during the stay (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
The selection of participants for financial support is competitive and depends on the quality of the submitted materials and the available budget. Priority will be given to students and early-career researchers, as well as authors of full scientific papers.
Key deadlines:
- Abstract submission (250–300 words): by 15 February 2026 (deadline may be extended);
- Notification of abstract acceptance: by 30 February 2026;
- Full paper submission: by 15 March 2026.
Detailed information on participation conditions and submission procedures is available on the official symposium website:
👉 https://hitit.edu.tr/en/isyech
Symposium organizers:
- Proactive Education, Science and Culture International NGO (Türkiye);
- Federación de Asociaciones Juveniles para la Movilidad Europea (Spain);
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University (Türkiye);
- Hitit University (Türkiye);
- Sumy State University (Ukraine);
- Umbria Training Centre APS (Italy).
Disclaimer
The ISYECH International Symposium is organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships in Youth project
“Cultural Heritage Recovery after Disasters and Conflicts: Understanding, Training, and Empowerment (CHERISH)”
(No. 2023-2-TR01-KA220-YOU-000182116), funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed during the event are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).