On April 24, 2025, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University hosted the XIII All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference of Young Scholars with International Participation "Ukrainian Past: Wars for Identity and Independence". With hearts full of pain and unwavering faith in victory, the academic staff and students of Grinchenko University, other Ukrainian institutions of higher education, and supporters of Ukraine from foreign universities – all those concerned about the history and future of our country – took part in this event, organized and conducted by the History of Ukraine Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Despite daily shelling and painful losses, the scholarly community joined forces to comprehend the complex episodes of Ukrainian history, understand the roots of the centuries-long struggle for freedom and self-determination, and find strength in the past to face today’s challenges.

The conference was attended not only by Ukrainian scholars but also our loyal friends from the world's leading universities: Seton Hall University (USA), the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), and the University of Warsaw (Poland). Their support and solidarity are invaluable in this extremely difficult time for Ukraine.

The conference brought together experienced scholars and young researchers from Ukrainian scientific, educational and cultural institutions, including Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Mariupol State University, Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, Pryazovskyi State Technical University, Uzhhorod National University, Helikon Lyceum No. 245 of the Obolon District of Kyiv, and the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine.

The event opened with a minute of silence to honor the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom and independence. This moment was not a mere formality but a heartfelt unification of all present, bound by the shared aspiration to defend Ukraine.

The opening speeches delivered by distinguished representatives of the Ukrainian scientific and educational community, as well as our international friends, were imbued with the desire to unite spiritual and intellectual efforts, directing them to understanding the tragic pages of Ukraine's history and jointly seeking for ways to victory.

Words of greeting were delivered by:

• Natalia Vinnikova – Doctor of Science in Philology, Professor, Head of the Academic Council at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University.
• Olena Aleksandrova – Doctor of Science in Philosophy, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University.

• James K. Daly – Doctor of Education, Professor, Professor of the Department of Educational Studies, College of Human Development, Culture and Media, Seton Hall University (New Jersey, USA).
• Maxim Matusevich – D. in History, Professor, Head of the History Department, Seton Hall University (New Jersey, USA).
• Nathaniel Knight – D. in History, Professor, Professor of the History Department, Director of Russian and East European Studies Program, Seton Hall University (New Jersey, USA). His reflections became a call for unity in confronting aggression and defending democratic values.

These speeches, filled with wisdom, solidarity with Ukraine and faith in its strength, charged all conference participants with energy for productive work and encouraged the search for answers to the most difficult questions of our history.

The plenary session, at which leading scholars presented their research and shared profound insights into key moments of Ukrainian history, became the conference’s centrepiece – not only a platform for academic reports but also for living testimonies of history.

The plenary session began with an in-depth exploration of civil initiatives during wartime, delivered by Ihor Zhaloba, Doctor of Science in History, Professor of the Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Law and International Relations of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. His report, "Civil Initiative in Times of War", was not just an academic study but an emotional portrayal of the transformation of Ukrainian society amidst war. Ihor Zhaloba vividly depicted the sentiments prevailing in Ukrainian society before February 24, 2022, when, despite numerous warnings, disbelief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion coexisted with the first shoots of civic self-organization and the awareness of the need to take initiative.

Special emotional weight was added through photographs of civilian training sessions for city defence. These images showed ordinary people, without military experience, mastering tactics, learning first aid and building barricades –embodying resilience and patriotism. Ihor Zhaloba emphasized that Ukrainian society demonstrated an extraordinary ability for adaptation, mutual assistance and resource mobilization, surprising the aggressor and serving as an example to the world.

Vitalii Andreev, Professor of the History of Ukraine Department delivered a an emotional and truthful story " In the Struggle for Ukraine: the Defence of Kyiv through the Eyes of an Eyewitness (February – April 2022)". His testimony was not only a valuable historical source but also a reminder of the heroism and resilience of Kyiv residents during the first and most difficult days of the full-scale invasion. Professor Andreev not only analysed the events, but also shared his personal memories of the onset of the enemy attack when he and his son took up arms to defend their native city. Accompanied by photographs from those tragic days, his story deeply resonated with the audience, underscoring the inseparable link between historical scholarship and the living history being made before our eyes.

Another highlight of the plenary session was the lecture by esteemed guest Dr. Panayiotis Xenofontos from the University of Oxford, titled "Stand Together: Volunteering as a Form of Support for Ukraine." Dr. Xenofontos emphasized the incredible phenomenon of international solidarity expressed through the powerful volunteer movement supporting Ukraine. He highlighted that this selfless assistance was not only material but also a symbol of unity and belief in justice, reminding everyone that Ukraine is not alone in its struggle for freedom.

A particularly poignant contribution came from Master’s graduate Kostiantyn Alekseenko, whose presentation "War and Values: What We Fight For through the Eyes of a Volunteer" combined theoretical reflection with a powerful visual narrative. Through frontline photographs depicting comrades, trenches, destroyed equipment, and moments of rest, Kostiantyn Alekseenko illustrated the courage, mutual aid, and love for the homeland driving Ukrainian volunteers.

The conference’s section work was organized along three main directions, enabling participants to delve deeper into specific aspects of Ukrainian history and culture:

• Section 1 – "The formation of the Ukrainian political nation: stages, struggle, current status" focused on the complex, multifaceted process of Ukraine's nation-building, from ancient times to the present. Students from Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy and International Relations contributed thoughtfully, including research presentations by Madeleine Krushinski, Avery Kaczmarski, Claire Duvic, and Allison Bodaken.
• Section 2 – " On the path to independence: military-political and socio-economic aspects of state-building in Ukraine. Ukrainian culture: between empire, sovietism and independence. Historical memory as a factor of national identity: Ukrainian experience" explored the historical factors shaping Ukraine’s independence and cultural resilience.
• Section 3 – "Heroes and anti-heroes: the role of an individual in Ukrainian history" focused on evaluating the contributions of prominent historical figures – both revered and controversial – to the Ukrainian struggle for independence.

The XIII All-Ukrainian Young Scholars Scientific and Practical Conference  with International Participation became not only a significant academic event but also a powerful manifestation of unity, spiritual strength, and unwavering faith in Ukraine’s victory.

Traditionally, the conference fostered fruitful collaboration between various faculties of the University: Social Sciences and Humanities, Law and International Relations, Ukrainian Philology, Culture and Arts, Health, Physical Education and Sports and Romance and Germanic Philology.

The information about participation in the conference of Seton Hall faculty and students was presented on the site of the College of Arts and Sciences  at Seton Hall University.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this academic forum. With hope for continued cooperation, we invite you to the XIV Conference "Ukrainian Past: Wars for Identity and Independence" in 2026.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!

Materials provided by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities