ByMark Temnycky,
Contributor.
“Education is the foundation of resilience and peace, and it must not be put on hold,” First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska told me in an interview.
“During war, education goes beyond academic knowledge. Education is about preserving childhood. It must foster empathy, life skills, and a sense of responsibility.”
Throughout Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zelenska has worked to continue public education efforts across Ukraine, despite the wartime challenges. For example, in September, the Ukrainian government organized the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, a two-day event focused on education around the world, particularly in Ukraine. During the conference, Zelenska, the summit’s founder, discussed how children and teenagers will define Ukraine’s future. Similarly, during the UN General Assembly in September, the First Lady of Ukraine spoke at a panel on Russia’s military incursion and how it has impacted Ukraine’s children and their education.
