International scientific and practical conferences "Cities and regions at the epicenter of spatial changes" and "Region-2022: optimal development strategy": work results

On November 24, 2022, the international scientific and practical conferences "Cities and regions at the epicenter of spatial changes" and "Region-2022: strategy for optimal development" were held in a common virtual space.

The organizers of the conferences were the departments of economic and social geography of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University and socio-economic geography and regional studies of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

In difficult conditions after another terrorist act of the russian federation, the scientific forum gathered more than fifty Ukrainian and foreign researchers who discussed the problems of regional development, development of territorial communities, socio-spatial unevenness and inequality, urban development and urban policy, transformation of urban space, tourism and the environmental problems.

Anna Tolstanova, vice-president for scientific work of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University and Anton Panteleimonov, vice-president for scientific and pedagogical work of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, addressed the participants of the event with a welcome speech.

The work of the conference was attended by representatives of all the leading socio-geographic centers of Ukraine: Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ivan Franko Lviv National University, Yuri Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University, Volodymyr Hnatyuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University, Kherson State University, Oles Honchar Dnipro National University.

Representatives of I. I. Mechnikov Odesa National University, Mykola Gogol Nizhyn State University, Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, A. S. Makarenko Sumy State Pedagogical University, Uman National Horticulture University, Melitopol State Pedagogical University also participated in the work. Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, Vasyl Stefanyk Prykarpattia National University, Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University, as well as universities and scientific institutions of the Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Poland, etc.

Within the framework of the conference, a round table was organized in memory of prominent Ukrainian geographers, leaders of scientific schools and long-time deans of Kyiv and Kharkiv universities Yaroslav Oliinyk and Kostiantyn Nemets. Their colleagues, students and friends highlighted the contribution of scientists to the development of the national socio-geographical school, shared memories and recalled life situations that undoubtedly testify that Yaroslav Bogdanovich and Kostiantyn Arkadiyovych remain in our hearts as bright scientists, wise teachers, open and sincere people, always ready to help, inspire, advise and support.

An important component of the conference was a methodical seminar, the participants of which expressed concern that in the project of conducting a national multi-subject test in 2023, geography was not included in the additional block. All speakers unanimously supported the opinion that such a situation will harm both the quality training of graduates of general educational institutions and the education of patriotic youth who have knowledge about the states of the world, their country, regions and cities, and know how to use cartographic and topographical skills in practice. In the conditions of war, it is impossible to defend a country whose geography you do not know.

During the methodical seminar, the participants discussed the issues of development and implementation of educational programs in the specialty 106 "Geography" at the bachelor's, master's and doctor of philosophy levels, shared their experience and determined ways of their further improvement.

This scientific forum showed that knowledge in the field of geography, urban planning and regional studies is an important basis for ensuring the national security of Ukraine. And the issues that were discussed, the level of scientific discussions and the activity of the participants in spite of the terror of the russian aggressor give confidence in the victory of Ukraine.