Karazin University Participated in the International Conference of the Aurora Alliance 'The Role of Higher Education in Peacebuilding'

From February 17 to 21, 2025, an international conference 'The Role of Higher Education in Peacebuilding' was held in Innsbruck (Austria), devoted to the impact of higher education institutions on peacebuilding processes. The event brought together more than 300 scholars, educators, civil society activists and students from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing universities in the context of peace, academic freedom and post-war recovery. 

The conference was organised by the University of Innsbruck (Austria) in cooperation with Karazin University, Palacky University in Olomouc (Czech Republic) and the Free University of Amsterdam (Netherlands).

As an associate partner of the Aurora Alliance, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University actively participated in the conference. The 24-member delegation of the university, headed by Rector Professor Tetyana Kaganovska, presented a number of research initiatives on adapting the educational process to the war-time uncertainty, developing university autonomy and implementing innovative approaches to shaping a culture of peace. 

Karazin University teachers and researchers joined the discussion of crisis management strategies, particularly through the mechanisms of international cooperation, academic mobility and the use of grant opportunities. Significant attention was paid to the integration of peacebuilding initiatives into curricula, the establishment of peacekeeping education centres and the development of interdisciplinary courses focused on the sustainable recovery of regions affected by warfare. 

Participation in the conference once again reaffirmed the crucial importance of the Aurora Alliance for Karazin University. Joint discussions, exchange of experience and development of new solutions allow universities not only to respond to the challenges of today, but also to create strategies for sustainable development of education in the context of global instability. The academic community, united by a common goal, is able not only to support education and science, but also to make a real contribution to peacebuilding.