The International Cooperation of the Dubno Community Foundation Continues for the Third Year
For the third consecutive year, the Dubno Community Foundation “Dobrobut” has been implementing a European project, with Dubno Pedagogical Professional College of RSHU as a partner. On the European Union’s side, cooperation is taking place with the Polish organization “Foundation of the Solun Brothers – Cyril and Methodius.” This year, as a result of the project, Dubno students visited Poland, met their peers, and integrated with Polish youth. The initiative to establish this partnership and cooperation arose from the personal communication of Foundation Supervisory Board member Serhii Havryliuk.
“In August, at the invitation of the Polish side, and with the direct support of the ‘Dobrobut’ organization, led by Mykola Mandziuk, and Serhii Havryliuk, our students visited Poland. Each year, the format of these meetings is different, enriched with new activities and content. This year, it felt like we were reaching a higher level, with even better communication. As students and teachers told me after returning, they were received very warmly. The Polish organizers were highly professional, supportive of Ukraine, and keen on promoting Ukrainian culture, which led to strong relationships between our youth and the Polish participants. “We are very satisfied with this cooperation, and I can’t wait until we host our Polish friends in our historic Dubno,” says College Director Valerii Babak. The most important thing is that the project is developing and provides young Ukrainians, who will live in Europe, the opportunity to experience the features of the free democratic world. I believe that positive and meaningful experiences with European peers will leave a lasting impact on the future.”
Due to the war in Ukraine, instead of planned meetings in both countries, all 10 days of the project took place in Poland.
“The project is Ukrainian-Polish and has been taking place for the third time. The first year was conducted online, with participants communicating in English. Last year, 5 days were spent in Poland and 5 days in Ukraine, in Odesa. This year, the project took place only in Poland. And, in my opinion, the integration was the best this summer,” says Deputy Director for Educational Work, Vira Semeshchuk.
In the neighboring country, students established the Alley of Ukrainian-Polish Friendship and brought back tree saplings, which they planted near the college buildings.
This year’s project theme was “Operation – Ecological Activation,” which is highly relevant.
“Some of the events we planned to hold in Ukraine were conducted there, while the Polish side was responsible for other parts. Together, we crafted items from recycled materials, held an eco-themed party with a dress code, hosted an acoustic evening, organized creative competitions, and admired the mountain landscapes,” shares Natalia Kovalchuk, a teacher of informatics and mathematics.
And, as project leaders note, students participate in the project with great enthusiasm. Summing up the summer, the youth said that this was the best experience they had during this period.
“We managed to implement all the planned activities. Ukrainian and Polish participants were as united as possible. The boys, who might have been expected to be passive, worked just as hard on the projects as the girls. And overall, it was very ‘rewarding.’ Even though the project’s dates have ended, students continue to communicate with Polish youth,” says Angelina Nedilska, a teacher in social and psychological disciplines.
As a continuation of the project, students and teachers of Dubno Pedagogical Professional College of RSHU will clean up the former Polish cemetery in Dubno in the first half of September.
