On November 30, 2023, an online debate focused on the European Union’s agenda for intercultural education and the pressing issues of the Intercultural Cities Programme. This significant event was streamed from Sumy State University (Sumy, Ukraine), attracting a diverse audience that included academic scholars, local government officials, public servants, journalists, and NGO representatives skilled in intercultural education.
The debate covered essential topics such as the protection of human rights for migrants and the necessary adaptations within city infrastructure to accommodate their needs. The event was structured to maximise engagement and insight. The debates were intense, with participants assigned either affirmative or negative positions determined by a draw. The format included a series of speeches and cross-examinations, allowing each side to present arguments and directly challenge the opposition. The sequence included ten slots ranging from initial affirmations to closing remarks, highlighting the depth of analysis and debate.
The programme began with opening remarks at 9:30 AM, followed by a rigorous qualifying round. The results announced shortly thereafter led to a highly competitive final round, culminating in closing remarks at 12:30 PM (Kyiv time).
This debate not only provided a platform for rigorous academic discourse but also significantly highlighted the ongoing efforts to integrate intercultural education into broader societal frameworks. The moderator of the event was Yuriy Petrushenko, Dr Sci., professor and Chair of the International Economic Relations Department.
This event was co-funded by the European Union and Sumy State University within the Jean Monnet Project «Educational Agenda for Intercultural City Development» (ID No 101047729 ERASMUS-JMO-2021-HEI-TCH-RSCH).
