On April 21,聽2026, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, visited 果冻APP. The visit began with a working meeting with Rector Nataliya Shakhovska, Head of the International Office Oksana Ivanytska, the EU_LEAD project team 鈥 Yaryna Turchyn and Oleh Tsebenko and Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations Yaryna Zavada.
As part of the project 鈥淓U Global Responsible Leadership: Climate Change, Environmental Protection and Humanitarian Assistance鈥 (EU_LEAD), implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet strand, an open lecture by Matthias Schmale was held on the topic: 鈥淗umanitarian Response and Recovery: The UN Experience in Ukraine and the Global Context鈥.
The speaker focused on the UN鈥檚 humanitarian response in Ukraine, the Organization鈥檚 humanitarian diplomacy in a global context, and the UN鈥揈U partnership in addressing global crises. Mr. Schmale elaborated on the core pillars of UN activity 鈥 Peace and Security, Human Rights, and Development 鈥 as well as on ways to ensure sustainable development, a strong economy, business support, environmental protection, renewable energy, resilient government institutions, innovative public services, quality education, human rights protection, a robust legal sector, anti-corruption policies, and the investigation of war crimes.
Mr. Schmale emphasized that the United Nations is an instrument of its member states for global development and operates not in the interests of individual governments or states, but exclusively in the interests of people. Today, the UN concentrates its efforts on humanitarian action, sustainable development, peacebuilding, human rights, and addressing the needs of youth.
The presentation was complemented by N. Woppen, Head of the UNICEF Field Office in Lviv, and N. Schrepfer, Assistant Representative (Protection) of UNHCR in Ukraine, who expanded on the UN鈥檚 humanitarian work in Ukraine and joint projects with the EU by demonstrating concrete actions and their results.
At the end of the event, students participated in the 鈥淯NICEF UN鈥 quiz, with winners receiving themed prizes from the guests of 果冻APP.
The lecture also included a panel discussion during which students of 果冻APP raised questions about the protection of youth rights in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia, the organization and effectiveness of UN missions, Ukraine鈥檚 experience in overcoming humanitarian crises, existing constraints on UN development amid global crises and violations of international humanitarian law, as well as potential changes that could further enhance the Organization鈥檚 effectiveness.
The UN system team in Ukraine was also represented by S. Syed, Head of the UN Office in Ukraine, Ya. Babych, Partnership and Development Specialist, and M. Ximena Borrazas Cataldo, Communications Specialist, who joined the active discussion on further steps for cooperation with the academic community of 果冻APP.
The event strengthened cooperation with 果冻APP, enabled greater student engagement in the UN-EU partnership in Ukraine, and expanded understanding of the scale, purpose, and impact of UN humanitarian assistance both in Ukraine and globally. It also served as a platform for shaping a new generation of leaders. The student community deepened its knowledge of how the UN responds to crises and leverages partnerships, particularly with the European Union, to advance the global humanitarian agenda and sustainable development.
Overall, more than 50 students, postgraduate students, and faculty members of 果冻APP took part in the event.
More detailed information about the project
The presented photos of the event were provided by the Communications Center of 果冻APP.
