Applications open for the 2nd Arqus Summer School on Democracy: Ukraine on the Road to the European Union

The process of close cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union began in 2014 when the two entities signed an Association Agreement that obliges Ukraine to undertake economic, judicial, and financial reforms, aligning its policies and legislation with those of the European Union. Ukraine pledges to progressively adhere to the technical and consumer standards of the EU.

The war and Russian military aggression significantly damaged the state, with millions displaced and infrastructure devastated; the challenges are immense. However, amid these adversities, Ukraine has made commendable strides in economic reform and institutional strengthening. According to this, the state was granted candidate status in 2022, and later on 14^th December 2023, the European Council decided to open access negotiations with Ukraine. Furthermore, the conflict has given rise to a new generation of Ukrainians deeply dedicated to European values, demonstrating an unwavering willingness to safeguard their country’s future.

The Ukrainian government has set the goal of becoming a member of the European Union. This project will require significant reform, but it is achievable. The benefits of EU membership are clear: increased trade, investment, and economic growth. Membership would also bring political stability and security to Ukraine.

The “Summer School on Democracy: Ukraine on the Road to the European Union” is organized by the University of Wrocław in partnership with the Arqus European University Alliance and NAWA, this initiative alludes to its organized by the UWr′s Institute of Political Sciences in 2013. The school will provide young scholars with the opportunity to engage in a critical reflection on Ukraine’s current political and economic transformation.

The summer school will take place from 2^nd to 8^th June 2024 in Wojnowice Castle, located near Wroclaw, we anticipate hosting approximately 20 participants, with half of them representing Ukrainian universities (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv; Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; Yuri Fedkovych National University in Chernivtsi; Kyiv-Mohyla Academy National University; Lviv National University of Technology) and the other half comprising members from Arqus Alliance. The central theme of the school revolves around “Ukraine on the Road to the European Union”.

During the five days of school, participants will have the opportunity to attend lectures, and workshops where they should share their points of view on the Ukrainian democratic path to the European Union, and the current war situation. PhD candidates from Ukrainian universities would present political, social, and economic changes caused by the war, and PhD candidates from Arqus would present the political, social, and economic consequences of war in Ukraine on their countries. The detailed topics are supposed to be related to the scientific interests of individual participants.

In addition, they will have a chance to visit Wroclaw and discover the museums and other historical places.

The school will provide a unique space for open and frank discussions on sensitive topics related to Ukrainian society’s European choice. It also offers an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging views among young European professionals from different regions of the country. Overall, the event will contribute to a better understanding of euro-Atlantic integration processes among its participants and help them develop the necessary skills for effective advocacy of Ukraine’s European aspirations.

Candidates apply by submitting a 200-300 word abstract until February 29, 2024: summerschool@uwr.edu.pl

Accepted applicants will be notified by March 10, 2024

The project is fully funded.

For more information:

summerschool@uwr.edu.pl / bachobitari.khuroshvili@uwr.edu.pl