Course co-directors: Marta Mochulska (Ivan Franko University of Lviv) and Mariia Zivert (Kyiv School of Economics)
This course offers an exploration of the evolution, functions, and impact of civil society organisations in Ukraine, situating them within both historical and contemporary contexts. Participants will look back at the roots of Ukraine’s civil movements, particularly in light of the recent revolutions, while also examining how these movements connect with global experiences.
Through four thematic blocks, the course provides a comprehensive view of CSOs’ integration into various spheres of public life, including the influence on Ukraine’s path toward European integration. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of civil society in media advocacy, justice reform, anti-corruption initiatives, and other spheres. Besides, we will also consider issues of accountability during wartime, including documentation of war crimes, international legal mechanisms for victims, strategies for sanctions on frozen Russian assets, etc. Finally, the course will examine how civil society contributes to statehood resilience through decentralisation, local community engagement, and the promotion of e-democracy tools.
The course will bring together Ukrainian and international lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, civil activists, lecturers with a rich academic background, and insightful practitioners.