Building bridges for peace: collaborative pathways for Ukraine’s democratic future

06/24/2026 | by Karin Wickenberg

How can universities contribute to peacebuilding in times of war? Researchers and practitioners gathered across Kyiv and Kalmar to explore how collaboration, knowledge exchange and academic freedom can support Ukraine’s path towards democratic resilience and long-term recovery.

 

the picture shows participants who took part on-site at Linnaeus University standing in front of the partly yellow universitiy building.

© Joakim Palmqvist, Linnaeus University

The picture shows people sitting in a lecture hall from behind. They are looking at a screen with online participants.

© Joakim Palmqvist, Linnaeus University

The picture shows the participants who took part on-site in Kyiv infront of a red building.

© Department of Communications, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

From dialogue to action: a shared responsibility

In May 2026, Linnaeus University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv jointly hosted the international conference “Building Peace and Democracy in Ukraine: Civil Society, Institutions, and Economic Reconstruction”. Bringing together participants across two connected campuses, the event demonstrated how academic collaboration can continue across borders – even under the most challenging circumstances.

At the heart of the discussions was a shared recognition: building peace is not a single-track process. It requires coordinated efforts across institutions, civil society, and economic systems.

In the opening session, representatives from both universities emphasised that peacebuilding is a long-term effort that depends on resilient institutions, trust, and inclusive governance structures—particularly in contexts marked by conflict and reconstruction.

A hub for European collaboration

The conference was organised within EUniWell’s Thematic Arena 2, Social Equality and Well-Being, and reflected the Alliance’s commitment to addressing societal challenges through collaboration. Its “hub conference” format – connecting Kyiv and Kalmar in real time – enabled a shared academic space despite geographical and political barriers. This was not only a practical solution, but also a symbolic one: knowledge exchange as a form of solidarity.

Charlotte Silander, Associate Professor of Political Science at Linnaeus University and leader of EUniWell´s Arena Social Equality and Well-Being, highlighted the importance of this type of collaboration: “At EUniWell, we work to connect knowledge, people and perspectives across Europe. Conferences like this show how universities can contribute not only with expertise, but by creating platforms for dialogue and long-term cooperation in support of democratic and sustainable societies.”

Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners explored key themes including diplomacy for peace, EU law and security, civil society engagement, and academic freedom.

The role of academia in times of uncertainty

A central theme throughout the conference was the role of universities in times of crisis. Beyond education and research, academic institutions function as spaces for safeguarding democratic values and fostering critical dialogue. Discussions during the conference stressed that academic freedom is not only a core value in itself, but also a prerequisite for long-term democratic stability. 

In the Ukrainian context, international cooperation is not only about sharing expertise – it is also about sustaining institutional capacity and ensuring continuity in research and education. This contributes to resilience in both the short and long term.

The interdisciplinary nature of the conference further reinforced that peacebuilding requires multiple perspectives. Legal frameworks, political processes, economic conditions, and social dynamics are deeply interconnected and must be addressed together.

Looking ahead

The conference illustrates the role of European universities alliances such as EUniWell in enabling collaborative responses to complex societal challenges. By connecting institutions, researchers, and students across countries, EUniWell creates a platform for both knowledge exchange and long-term partnership.

The discussions in Kyiv and Kalmar are part of an ongoing effort to support Ukraine’s path towards peace and democratic stability. Participants agreed on the essential importance of this goal, as supporting peace, democracy and reconstruction is considered a fundamental component of human well-being. They also highlighted how collaboration itself constitutes a meaningful contribution by strengthening relationships, building trust, and sustaining dialogue in uncertain times. 

Further outcomes from the conference will be made available in the coming months, including a Book of Abstracts and a forthcoming edited volume featuring selected contributions. Selected keynote lectures will be made available online.

Further information

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