The Future is Now – International Interdisciplinary Conference

Poland, Ukraine and Europe.

Cooperation, Security, and the Future of the Region

Introduction

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership are redefining Europe’s political order, security framework, and shared values. In this context, Poland plays a strategic role as Ukraine’s neighbour and a key advocate of its sovereignty and European integration.

This conference invites researchers, experts, local government representatives, and civil society representatives to examine the political, legal, economic, social, and cultural transformations shaping Central and Eastern Europe during war, reconstruction, and long-term regional reconfiguration. The event will provide a platform for dialogue, exchange of research, and development of forward-looking recommendations for Poland, Ukraine, and Europe.

The conference will also inaugurate the activities of the Center for Polish-Ukrainian Cooperation at the University of Wrocław, scheduled for formal establishment in January 2026.

RESEARCH AREAS PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION

The new geopolitical paradigm of Central and Eastern Europe

• The transformation of the international order after 2022: redefining security, sovereignty, and solidarity.
• The role of Poland and Ukraine in shaping the new European security architecture.
• Ukraine’s integration with the EU and NATO: institutional, social, and cultural challenges.
• New alliances and dividing lines: Central and Eastern Europe amid global tensions (US, China, Russia).

Democracy, Civil Society, and Social Resilience

• Democratization and rebuilding Ukraine: models, risks, best practices.
• The role of civil society during war and recovery.
• Disinformation, propaganda, information warfare—how to foster social resilience.
• New forms of activism and transnational solidarity—ranging from humanitarian aid to academic cooperation.

Harmonization of Ukrainian law with European Union law

• Judiciary and public administration reform.
• Cross-border cooperation in criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
• Protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.
• The importance of law in rebuilding the state and civil society.

Culture, Identity, and Memory for the Future

• National and European identity amid war and migration.
• Polish-Ukrainian cultural heritage—connecting history and future.
• Collective memory and historical policy—how to create a shared narrative?
• Culture as a tool for resistance and rebuilding—through art, literature, media.

Economy, Reconstruction, and Sustainable Development

• Ukraine’s reconstruction scenarios: investments, infrastructure, green transition.
• Poland’s role as a logistics and economic hub in the rebuilding process.
• New models of economic cooperation in the region – from local initiatives to macro-regional strategies.
• Energy security and the climate transition in the context of war.

Education, Science, and Innovation

• Universities as agents of social and political change – the role of academia in times of crisis.
• Academic mobility and the integration of students from Ukraine – challenges and successful practices.
• Joint research and educational projects – how to build lasting partnerships?

Digitalization, AI, and new technologies for education and reconstruction.

Two plenary panels dedicated to integration with EU requirements are also planned for the conference proceedings:

1. Ukrainian science – with the participation of rectors from Polish and Ukrainian universities (comparing experiences, sharing best practices, exploring cooperation opportunities in the new post-war European paradigm); offering a new perspective on higher education – its impact on teaching, research development, and the shaping of values that should form a strong foundation for a new Europe.
2. Ukrainian local government institutions – including Polish and Ukrainian local authorities from Wrocław’s partner cities and Lower Silesia’s partner regions, as well as representatives from Wrocław’s academic circles.

PROPOSED TOPICS FOR THE STUDENT AND DOCTORAL SESSIONS

Contemporary Europe needs a new generation of researchers who are not only scientifically capable but also open to international collaboration, socially aware, and dedicated to creating a shared future. In this context, young researchers from Poland and Ukraine – students, doctoral candidates, and early-career scientists – play a crucial role in shaping an academic environment rooted in dialogue, solidarity, and common European values. Therefore, the organizers suggest discussing the following issues:

The new geopolitical paradigm of Central and Eastern Europe

• The transformation of the international order after 2022: redefining security, sovereignty, and solidarity.
• The role of Poland and Ukraine in shaping the new European security architecture.
• Ukraine’s integration with the EU and NATO: institutional, social, and cultural challenges.
• New alliances and dividing lines: Central and Eastern Europe amid global tensions (US, China, Russia).

Democracy, Civil Society, and Social Resilience

• Democratization and rebuilding Ukraine: models, risks, best practices.
• The role of civil society during war and recovery.
• Disinformation, propaganda, information warfare—how to foster social resilience.
• New forms of activism and transnational solidarity—ranging from humanitarian aid to academic cooperation.

Harmonization of Ukrainian law with European Union law

• Judiciary and public administration reform.
• Cross-border cooperation in criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
• Protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.
• The importance of law in rebuilding the state and civil society.

Culture, Identity, and Memory for the Future

• National and European identity amid war and migration.
• Polish-Ukrainian cultural heritage—connecting history and future.
• Collective memory and historical policy—how to create a shared narrative?
• Culture as a tool for resistance and rebuilding—through art, literature, media.

Economy, Reconstruction, and Sustainable Development

• Ukraine’s reconstruction scenarios: investments, infrastructure, green transition.
• Poland’s role as a logistics and economic hub in the rebuilding process.
• New models of economic cooperation in the region – from local initiatives to macro-regional strategies.
• Energy security and the climate transition in the context of war.

Education, Science, and Innovation

• Universities as agents of social and political change – the role of academia in times of crisis.
• Academic mobility and the integration of students from Ukraine – challenges and successful practices.
• Joint research and educational projects – how to build lasting partnerships?

Digitalization, AI, and new technologies for education and reconstruction

Two plenary panels dedicated to integration with EU requirements are also planned for the conference proceedings:

1. 1. Ukrainian science – with the participation of rectors from Polish and Ukrainian universities (comparing experiences, sharing best practices, exploring cooperation opportunities in the new post-war European paradigm); offering a new perspective on higher education – its impact on teaching, research development, and the shaping of values that should form a strong foundation for a new Europe.
   2. Ukrainian local government institutions – including Polish and Ukrainian local authorities from Wrocław’s partner cities and Lower Silesia’s partner regions, as well as representatives from Wrocław’s academic circles.

PLANNED ACCOMPANYING EVENTS

• Master seminars for students, doctoral candidates, and early-career researchers
• Polish-Ukrainian-English translation workshops
• Photographic exhibition focused on war-related cultural destruction in Ukraine
• Performative reading of Serhiy Zhadan’s drama A Harvest Truce.

Important Information:

Conference languages: Polish, Ukrainian, English

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ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Lead Organizer: Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Scientific director of the conference; chair of the Organizing Committee: Prof. Dr habil. Agnieszka Matusiak–Bakuła, Department of Ukrainian Studies (Institute of Slavic Studies) and Center for Transcultural Post-totalitarian Studies 

University of Wrocław’s units co-organizing the conference and members of the Organizing Committee:

• Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures: Coordinator: Dr. habil. Mateusz Świetlicki, prof. UWr
• Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics. Coordinators: Prof. Dr. habil. Maciej Marszał; Dr. Daniel Butyter, Dr. habil. Barbara Kowalczyk, Dr. habil. Magdalena Tabernacka, prof. UWr
• Faculty of Social Sciences. Coordinator: Dr. habil. Larysa Leshchenko, prof. UWr
• Faculty of Letters. Coordinator: Dr. Helena Sojka-Masztalerz
• Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences. Coordinators: Prof. Dr. habil. Jarosław Syrnyk; Dr. hab. Karol Sanojca, Dr. Anna Haratyk
• International Office: Urszula Broda
• WUSA – Community of Ukrainian Students and Scholars at the University of Wrocław. Coordinator: Daniel Bielecki

Conference secretariat: Viktoriia Kushnir and Arsen Yatsenko

Strategic Polish Academic Partners:

• General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław. Coordinators: Dr. habil. Izabela Nowicka, Prof. AWL, and Lt. Col. Dr. Eng. Piotr Szczepański
• Wrocław University of Economics and Business, Coordinator: dr habil. Natalia Szozda, prof. UEW 

Strategic Ukrainian Academic Partners: 

• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Coordinator: Prof. Dr. habil. Ksenia Smyrnova

• Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Coordinator: Prof. Dr. habil. Oleksandr Pronkevych

• • Foundation of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Wrocław. Coordinator: Khrystyna Fogel

• Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Coordinator: Dr. Assoc. Prof. Oleksandr Kuchyk

Strategic National Institutional Partners:

• Office for International Cooperation, Presidential Division, Wrocław City Hall. Coordinator: Sara Blejwas

• Office for Cooperation with Higher Education Institutions, Wrocław City Hall. Coordinator: Monika Sochacka

• Department for International Cooperation, Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Coordinator: Aleksandra Mirowska-Piełucha

• Academia Europaea Wrocław Hub. Coordinators: Anna Jarosz and Veronica Lott

• • The Ossolineum (National Ossoliński Institute) in Wrocław. Coordinator: Dr. Wiktoria Malicka

• University Library in Wrocław; Coordinator: Dr. Monika Górska

Pan Tadeusz Museum in Wrocław. Coordinator: Oleksandra Stezhko