On September 10–11, 2025, Kyiv hosted the anniversary Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, a major international event initiated in 2021 by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The Summit has become an influential global platform, bringing together representatives from 20 countries—including first ladies and gentlemen, ministers of education, renowned educators, scientists, and even Nobel Prize laureates.
Representatives from Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University participated in the Summit: Serhii Sharyn, Vice-Rector for Research and Pedagogical Work, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor; Taras Paska, PhD, Assistant of the Bohdan Stuparyk Department of Pedagogy and Educational Management and Chair of the University’s Council of Young Scientists; and a university partner, Professor Bogusław Marek from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.
This year’s Summit theme was “Education that Shapes the World.” Participants discussed key directions in the development of education:
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Ensuring access to learning even under crisis conditions, including during wartime;
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The role of innovation and digital technologies in modern educational processes;
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The mission of education in fostering peace and humanitarian values;
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The importance of the teaching profession in shaping future generations.
A particularly striking moment was the presentation of a virtual lesson titled “Snapshots from Ukraine: Untold Stories of Teenagers,” which showcased the reality of life for Ukrainian youth under wartime conditions.
In the final part of the Summit, key speeches were delivered by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Finland Alexander Stubb, who emphasized that modern education should not only provide knowledge but also cultivate humanism, mutual respect, and unity among people and nations.
Following the Summit, a global communication campaign “Every Generation Leaves a Mark. Education Determines Which” was launched in collaboration with UNICEF. Its main goal is to highlight education as a key factor in building a peaceful and sustainable future.
The participation of representatives from Carpathian University, particularly Taras Paska, in the Summit was an important opportunity to engage in international educational dialogue, exchange experiences, and strengthen partnerships with the global scientific community.
