On 25 July 2025, Ukrainian participants reflected on how geography shapes their worldview and how cooperation with neighbouring countries can strengthen peace and understanding. The discussion highlighted the deep contrasts in how Ukrainians perceive their eastern and western borders, as well as their hopes for future collaboration through education and volunteering.
Participants explained that Ukrainians have very strong associations with different borders. The eastern border is most often linked to danger and war, symbolizing insecurity and conflict due to ongoing aggression. In contrast, the western border represents safety, cooperation, and partnership with Europe—a gateway to opportunity, progress, and shared values.
When discussing what makes cooperation between nations difficult, participants identified several key obstacles:
- The influence of politics and religion on how people form opinions about other nations;
- Economic disagreements that can create mistrust or inequality between countries;
- Protests and aggression, which often arise from political instability or misinformation.
Despite these challenges, the participants expressed optimism and a desire to focus on education and youth-driven initiatives as a foundation for lasting cooperation. Their dream projects included:
- Social studies and volunteering programmes that help young people understand global citizenship and community engagement;
- Student and teacher exchange programmes with other countries and schools, designed to promote mutual learning, respect, and collaboration across borders.
For the group, these exchanges were not just educational opportunities but powerful tools for building empathy, challenging stereotypes, and fostering peace. As one participant summarized, the future of Ukraine’s cooperation with Europe depends on people, not politics—and that future begins in the classroom.