The conference includes many panel and plenary sessions addressing Russia´s war in Ukraine. Furthermore, several Ukrainian scholars contribute to the discussions with insights on developments in local civil society, war studies, and human rights. Dr. Tamara Martsenyuk from University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, is one of the conference’s keynote speakers and is presenting on Thursday, the 27th of October.
“Results of a public opinion survey demonstrate that most Ukrainian women are willing to resist with arms. I will present these results during my lecture ‘Women’s Participation in Defending Ukraine in Russia's War’.”
Dr. Martsenyuk is also taking part in a panel that discusses the issues of gender and sexuality in connection to the ongoing war organised by Jonna Alava from the Finnish National Defence University and the University of Helsinki. In addition, she is included in the round table “The role of academic communities in shaping the new era of Ukrainian studies” put together by Dr. Inna Melnykovska from Central European University.
Tamara Martsenyuk sees her research work as a form of Ukrainian resistance:
“My resistance is in academia. I teach online at my home university, participate in different events, give interviews and comments to journalists, and write articles to inform about this terrible war.”
The conference takes a stance in supporting Ukrainian academia by forgoing the participation fees of Ukrainian scholars and providing them with travel assistance. Furthermore, some of the students who have had to leave Ukraine and have continued their education at the University of Helsinki, are working as conference assistants.
"”It is important to hear Ukrainian scholars when we discuss impact and implications of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine”, says Dr. Katri Pynnöniemi from Aleksanteri Institute and the Finnish National Defence University, the director of this year's confence programme.
"We are glad to have Ukrainian academics to join us and share their expertise to the wider public and fellow conference attendees."
THE NEW ERA OF INSECURITY: How Russia’s War in Ukraine Changes the World
The 26th–28th of October | The 21st annual Aleksanteri Conference
Plenary sessions streamed for free.
Full online participation 60 €. Onsite participation 120 €
Find more on the Conference web page: The New Era of Insecurity