On June 20–21, Aspen Institute Kyiv held its annual event, “Ideas Days,” in Chernivtsi, dedicated to the issues of social cohesion, trust, and the value of diversity in contemporary Ukraine.
This year, the event brought together more than 150 participants, including representatives of state authorities, local governments, businesses, educational institutions, civil society organizations, the military, and community leaders. The discussions focused on strengthening social unity during wartime and shaping the country’s post-war recovery.
One of the key events of the program was the panel discussion, “Social Cohesion in Post-War Ukraine: How It Depends on Us.” The panel featured Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Father Hryhorii Kovalenko; Nataliia Yemchenko, Director of Public Relations and Communications at SCM; Taras Kytsmei, President of the SoftServe Group; and Galyna Zelenko, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Deputy Director for Research, and Head of the Department of Political Institutions and Processes at the I. F. Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
The discussion was moderated by serviceman and television host Vadym Karpiak.
During the conversation, participants focused on the factors that shape public trust, the role of civic responsibility in strengthening democratic institutions, and the challenges of preserving unity amid diverse experiences, perspectives, and social groups.
Galyna Zelenko emphasized the importance of public trust as a foundation for state resilience and democratic development. Her remarks highlighted the functioning of political institutions, citizen participation in public life, and the need to develop an inclusive model of post-war recovery based on dialogue and shared responsibility.
The event took place in Chernivtsi, a city that has historically exemplified the coexistence of different cultures, traditions, and identities. The Bukovinian experience served as a starting point for discussing how to build a strong and cohesive society capable of transforming diversity into a source of development.
Once again, “Ideas Days” provided a platform for open dialogue among representatives of different sectors and generations around a key question: how to preserve and strengthen Ukraine’s social unity in a time of major challenges and future transformations.
