Ukrainian–Polish Youth Debates: Summary of Results

On March 19–21, 2026, the II Ukrainian – Polish Youth Debates took place in Mykulychyn at the International Meeting Center for Student Youth of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University.

V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University was represented by postgraduate student and lecturer of the Department of English Philology and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages, as well as Head of the Scientific Society of Students, Postgraduates, Doctoral Candidates, and Young Scientists of the School of Foreign Languages, Khrystyna Trach.

The discussion featured participation from Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary: Jacek Kluczkowski (Republic of Poland in Ukraine, 2005–2010), Oleksandr Motsyk (Ukraine in the Republic of Poland, 2006–2010), and Marek Ziółkowski (Republic of Poland in Ukraine, 2001–2005).

The opening session focused on reflecting on current challenges in Ukrainian–Polish dialogue.

A key element of the event was an open Q&A discussion titled “Challenges for Ukrainian–Polish Dialogue and Ways to Overcome Them.”

The discussion was moderated by Ihor Hurak, Dean of the School of History, Political Science, and International Relations at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University.

Participants addressed risks to European unity, Poland’s role in the EU, prospects for security frameworks — including the Ukraine –Poland–United Kingdom triangle — countering Russian propaganda, balancing interests in EU agricultural markets, and issues related to Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

The discussion demonstrated a high level of preparedness among young participants and a strong demand for deeper intergenerational dialogue.

A separate session featured a meeting with Piotr Łukasiewicz, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine. The session was moderated by Khrystyna Trach and Mariia Patorska from the Eastern European Studies program at the University of Warsaw.

The second day of the debates focused on modeling the future of Ukrainian–Polish relations.

The central discussion was titled “What Will Ukrainian–Polish Relations Look Like on March 20, 2027?” It was moderated by Anastasiia Hrytsak, a leading specialist at the International Relations Department of Kyiv National University of Internal Affairs, and Anastasiia Hural, a postgraduate student at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University.

Participants worked with scenario-planning approaches, analyzing challenges and opportunities for bilateral partnership in the medium term.

Another meaningful segment was the environmental panel “Thinking Like a Mountain: Society and Nature,” held as an interactive workshop. It was moderated by Myroslava Mylenka, Director of the International Scientific Center “Observatory.” Participants discussed sustainable development, the role of communities in preserving the natural environment, and youth responsibility for the future of the Carpathian region.

On the final day, a panel discussion titled “How to Promote Your Country Abroad?” was held by the event organizers: Yaroslav Hodun, Director of the Polish Institute in Kyiv; Ihor Tsependa, Head of the Academic Council of Kyiv National University of Internal Affairs; and Jan Malicki, Director of the Eastern European Studies program at the University of Warsaw.

The discussion focused on tools of public diplomacy, the role of youth in shaping a country’s international image, and practical approaches to promoting Ukraine globally. The event concluded with a formal certificate award ceremony for the participants.

The II Ukrainian–Polish Youth Debates in Mykulychyn once again confirmed their role as a platform for systematic dialogue, fostering an environment of trust, responsibility, and partnership between the youth of Ukraine and Poland.