Participation in the Conference “Resilience. Recovery. Future: Culture in the Recovery of Ukraine”
The Ukrainian Red Cross participated in the international conference “Resilience. Recovery. Future: Culture in the Recovery of Ukraine,” held from 26 to 27 June 2025 in Warsaw. The event’s programme addressed a wide range of issues, including the protection of cultural property during wartime, combating disinformation, and the importance of preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
The conference was organised in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, alongside other state institutions, embassies, national and international non-governmental organisations, the Ukrainian Red Cross, and the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
RESILIENCE. RECOVERY. FUTURE: Culture in the Recovery of Ukraine — Conference Programme
Over two days, participants explored key topics relating to the preservation and restoration of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. A central theme of the event was the search for modern, effective approaches to strengthening the protection of cultural assets, particularly within the framework of international humanitarian law (IHL), which governs their safeguarding during armed conflict. Government officials and recognised experts took part in discussions covering the following areas:
- Resilience and solidarity: the role of culture in Ukraine’s resilience system
- Return of Ukrainians home: how culture and heritage encourage remigration
- Culture as an integral part of the national security system
- Collecting stories: museums as laboratories for new narratives and combating disinformation
- The three-year report: what museums can do better
Speaking at the conference, Olena Kocherhina, Head of the IHL Unit at the Ukrainian Red Cross, stated:
“The scale of destruction and the removal of Ukraine’s cultural property is staggering. International humanitarian law prohibits such actions and affords cultural property an enhanced level of protection as part of civilian infrastructure. Even war has rules — and adhering to them is not only a legal obligation but also a reflection of humanity in the face of the most difficult challenges.”
Holding this important event with the participation of the Ukrainian Red Cross is highly significant for our country. The international community has once again demonstrated its support for Ukraine, particularly in the protection and restoration of cultural heritage, which is vital to preserving Ukrainian national identity. Experts also had the opportunity to prepare proposals for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2025), scheduled for 10–11 July in Rome, Italy.
