March 30-31, 2023 the International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats: Lessons from the EU for Ukraine’ has been held at Sumy State University within conducting the Project of the Programme EU Erasmus+ «Implementation of European Union mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats» (101085700 – IMEU – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH) (2022-2025).
Scientific committee:
Olha Prokopenko (member of the Project group),
Doctor of Ecnomics, Prof., Researcher, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Science (Estonia); Professor of Economics Department, Collegium Mazovia Innovative University (Poland);
Yuriy Petrushenko,
Doctor of Ecnomics, prof, heard of the Derartment of International Economic Relations, Sumy State University (Ukraine); vice-head, Public Union “Ukrainian Adult Education Association” (Ukraine);
Vitaiy Omelyanenkо (member of the Project group),
Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor, Academician of Ukrainian Technological Academy, Head of Educational and Scientific Center of Project Technologies, Sumy State Makarenko Pedagogical University (Ukraine); Postdoc, Estonian Entrepreneurial University of Applied Sciences (Estonia); Director, NGO Institute of Innovation Development Strategies and Knowledge Transfer (Ukraine);
Viktoriia Shkola (leader of the Project group),
Ph.D in Economics, Associate professor, Leading researcher, the International Economic Relations Department, Sumy State University (Ukraine); Postdoc, Professorship of Sustainable Economic Policy, TUMCS for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich (Germany);
Maryna Domashenko (member of the Project group),
Ph.D in Economics, Associate professor, Assosiate professor, the International Economic Relations Department, Sumy State University (Ukraine);
Мarina Jarvis,
Ph.D in Business Administration, Associate Professor, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Science, Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia);
Maria Troyan (member of the Project group),
Ph.D in Economics, Associate professor of the Department of tourism and hotel and restaurant service, Sumy State Makarenko Pedagogical University (Ukraine);
Tetiana Kurbatova
Ph.D in Economics, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of International Economic Relations, Sumy State University (Ukraine); Senior Research Fellow of the Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex (the United Kingdom)
Yarislavna Romanyuk
Ph.D student, the Department of International Economic Relations, Sumy State University (Ukraine)
This kick-off conference has been the first public event of this project, where the Project and the Project team has been presented.
The main aim is to provide the actual information about EU’s experience for combating modern challenges and threats to students, academic scholars and the public (journalists, local authorities, civic activists and other stakeholders).
More than 160 registered participants from 15 countries of the world (Canada, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, USA) have taken part in the conference, including scientists, academics, students, representatives of business structures, civil servants, public activists and other stakeholders.
The event has been organized in the form of a series of presentations about the Project, speakers’ reports on the best cases from the EU’s experience in countering modern challenges and threats, question and answer sessions, panel discussions, promotion of further activities. Thus, during the conference project leader, PhD, associate professor, leading researcher of the Department of International Economic Relations of Sumy State University, Postdoc of the Technical University of Munich (Germany) Viktoriia Shkola has presented the Jean Monnet Module project “Implementation of European Union mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats”. Additionally, other members of the project team and invited participants of the conference have been made the professional, meaningful and extremely interesting reports. Their discussion has been held within thematic sections.
Furthermore, during the conference, the Debates in Karl Popper format ”EU Mechanisms for Combating Modern Challenges and Threats: Strength vs Weaknesses” has been held. Particularly, within the Debates the Mechanisms of Cultural Diplomacy in the Context of Challenges of the War has been discussed.
By and large, this event has allowed all the participants to increase the awareness of risk and safety issues, expand knowledge about EU priority strategies, as well as attract the learners and contributors to the educational courses of this project. Moreover, the conference has contributed to achieve Jean Monnet aims such as “equip students and young professionals with knowledge of European Union subjects relevant for their academic and professional lives and enhance their civic skills”; “promote excellence in teaching and research in EU studies”, “improve the quality of professional training on EU subjects”. In addition, the conference is the first meeting in person between all the lecturers of the project and the project stakeholders.
More detailed information about the Conference can be found at the following Internet links: