On November 20, 2024, Faculty of Philology and Journalism held a lecture “Cultural Diplomacy in Wartime as a Tool for Strengthening Support for Ukraine in the World”. It was delivered by Head of the NGO “Democratic Week of the Carpathian Sea”, temporary chargé d’affaires of Ukraine in Norway (2022–2023), a Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University graduate, Candidate of Economic Sciences, poet, public figure, expert in the field of international relations and Nordic cooperation Liliia Honcharevych.
The event was moderated by Candidate of Philological Sciences Iryna Levchuk. The event was attended by Rector Anatolii Tsos, Dean of Faculty of Philology and Journalism Liliia Lavrynovych, General Director of Volyn Regional Hospital Oleksandr Dudar, Medical Director of the Regional Hospital Mykola Haley, lecturers and students of the higher education institution. It is nice that the servicepersons of the 100th Separate Mechanised Brigade, graduates of Faculty of Culture and Arts Vladislav Semeniuk and Andrii Hranat, also visited the event.
Liliia Honcharevych noted that cultural diplomacy can be a tool of “soft power”. It helps to achieve the goals that cannot be achieved by traditional diplomacy. The lecturer gave an example of the influence of cultural diplomacy in the context of Eurovision, works by Ukrainian writers and artists, charity auctions and sports events. According to her, after the full-scale aggression, the interest in the Ukrainian culture has significantly increased. In particular, the number of people wishing to study the Ukrainian language abroad has increased.
“Ukraine was able to form a cultural diplomacy admired all over the world. Such a tool is important for increasing support for our state,” Liliia Honcharevych summarised.
In addition, the guest presented a film to the audience about the achievements of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy and spoke about the activities of the NGO “Democratic Week of the Carpathian Sea”. “You don’t have to be a diplomat to engage in cultural diplomacy. This can be the task of each of us,” Liliia Honcharevych concluded.
Finally, the guest of the University spoke about the assistance already provided to the military through joint efforts. Rector Anatolii Tsos thanked Liliia Honcharevych for her cooperation, and also noted that Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University has great potential for cultural diplomacy.
Director of the regional hospital Oleksandr Dudar thanked Liliia Honcharevych for two Thompson retractor systems. The medical equipment transferred from Norway during the event will be useful during surgical interventions. Just before the lecture, the medical institution also received computer equipment.
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