For the fifth time, the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’ and the National University of Ostroh Academy organised the International Diplomatic Forum, which traditionally brings together the academic community and representatives of foreign embassies accredited in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, 30 April 2025, the University in the city of Ostroh welcomed representatives of the Ukrainian and foreign diplomatic corps for the Fifth International Diplomatic Forum. The participants included the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and diplomats from Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Palestine, and Slovakia, Honorary Consuls of Congo, Kazakhstan, and Senegal in Ukraine, government officials, Ukrainian diplomats, and the academy’s faculty and students.
Upon arrival in Ostroh, the diplomats received a warm welcome from the President of the National University of Ostroh Academy, Hero of Ukraine Ihor Pasichnyk and Rector of the Academy Eduard Balashov, who gave the guests an exclusive tour of the new academic campus. The guests learned about the history of the new building’s construction, which reflects new approaches to the educational process.
The diplomats visited the academy’s OstArt art cluster, which constantly features exhibitions of Ukrainian artists, allowing for the students’ broader cultural growth, viewed the replicas of the attire and regalia (throne, crown, and mace) of the princes of Ostroh and paintings and other works of modern artists, tasted Aqua Vita, a princely plant-based tincture recreated according to a 15th-century recipe, entered modern classrooms fitted with the best technical equipment, and enjoyed a panoramic view of Ostroh from the building’s lobby.
Eventually, the diplomats visited one of the oldest buildings of the Ostroh Academy, where they instantly experienced the spirit of the eras of famous princes, as they were greeted by students wearing costumes of Halshka and Kostiantyn of Ostroh.
On behalf of the foreign delegation, GDIP Director-General Pavlo Kryvonos presented the academy with a special gift: a gift tube dedicated to the GDIP’s 33rd anniversary and a panel painting with the organisation’s logo.
During the visit, distinguished guests got acquainted with the academy’s ancient buildings, where history and legends are forever imprinted in the walls, learned about the efforts of Prince Kostiantyn of Ostroh to develop education in Ukraine and the whole of Eastern Europe, listened about the training of the academy’s students at the time of the studies of the would-be hetman Petro Konashevych-Sahaidachnyi, and heard about the humorous beliefs of the university’s current students.
The diplomats viewed Saint Fedir’s Church, which contains antique icons restored by Ukrainian artists and a unique cross crafted from a single metal rod. They visited the Museum of History of the Ostroh Academy and the scientific library, whose collection includes precious old prints, such as a copy of the Ostroh Bible. They went down to the church’s dungeons, shrouded in legend, which once served as burial sites for prolific individuals: patrons, philanthropists and members of their families. The dungeons have small rooms that were specially designated as crypts for burials. Nineteen individuals were buried in the monastery throughout its existence, mostly from among Volhynian Catholic nobility. In the dungeons, the guests learned about the practices of memorialisation of modern outstanding Ukrainians: heroes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who sacrificed their lives in the battles for Ukraine’s independence.
Once the delegation had been introduced to the academy’s history, the Fifth International Diplomatic Forum began. The forum was dedicated to the discussion of diplomacy’s role amidst current uncertainty and ran in a hybrid mode, combining online and offline participation.
The event began with welcome speeches of professor Ihor Pasichnyk, President of the National University of Ostroh Academy and Doctor of Psychology; professor Eduard Balashov, Rector of the Ostroh Academy and Doctor of Psychology; Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha; Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2007–9) Volodymyr Ohryzko; Head of Rivne Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Koval; GDIP Director-General and Honorary Professor of the Ostroh Academy Pavlo Kryvonos; dean of the diplomatic corps and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Order of Malta Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese di Cotrone.
Ihor Pasichnyk said that ‘the Ostroh Academy and the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions have already been implementing the Diplomatic Forum for five years. During this time, we have seen the effectiveness of such events and the strong practical potential they give to Ukraine and the represented countries. The Diplomatic Forum needs to play a meaningful role in strengthening the economic, political, and cultural ties of our countries. It will be a small, yet important contribution to Ukraine’s victory!’
Eduard Balashov emphasised that the university’s main mission is to provide high-quality education and foster the formation of a successful and just society, adding that the academy is always open for cooperation, partnership, and the exchange of experience. ‘The National University of Ostroh Academy is among the leading universities in Ukraine, and as such, its mission is to educate the leaders of a new age, professionals equipped with extensive knowledge, strong values, and a commitment to act for peace, development, justice, and human dignity. Our alma mater is a hub for intercultural dialogue and academic mobility, a place where each voice, idea, and aspiration to develop counts. Today’s forum is a striking example of an effective partnership between science and diplomacy. We believe that initiatives such as this event will enable us to shape a peaceful, fair, and harmonious society together.’
Andrii Sybiha stressed the innovativeness of the academy’s educational process and invited its students and alumni to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. ‘The Ostroh Academy is known for its traditions. This Ukrainian university is particularly famous for its special worldview. I want you to be proud not only of your history but of your future alumni. Personally, I adhere to the policy of maximising the involvement of the young generation in the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The most important thing is motivation. I have already met with the academy’s graduates, and I will be pleased if you join and reinforce our team. The outcome of the war will decide European and Euro-Atlantic security. Right now, we have a chance to strengthen our peace efforts. I would like to thank the representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps, as well as Pavlo Kryvonos, Volodymyr Ohryzko, and the rest of the forum’s participants. It is a wonderful event because it always brings in fresh ideas, while its discussions lead to new perspectives on situations.’ Mr Sybiha also outlined the Ministry’s current agenda, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defence capability and achieving increased support from foreign partners in the efforts to stop russian aggression.
Pavlo Kryvonos expressed his gratitude to the president, faculty, and students of the Ostroh Academy. ‘I am grateful to Mr Pasichnyk because the cradle of Ukrainian education, this majestic academy, was restored from the ruins thanks to his initiative. I would also like to thank the entire faculty because you are imbuing our youth with the invaluable treasure of knowledge and the spark of hope for the prosperity of Ukraine. We organise events like this one not only to show the diplomats Ukraine’s beauty but also its main treasure: the people, especially our talented youth.’ Mr Kryvonos also added that he is proud that some of the academy’s alumni have become brilliant employees of the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions.
Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese di Cotrone encouraged the students to take all opportunities on the path to obtaining quality knowledge. ‘Studying is something that challenges us and our curiosity. It is the most powerful weapon we have to change the world and live our lives fully. And no one can ever take away the awareness and culture that comes from studying. If we learn to love studying, studying will never leave us, and we will continue to study, even when we are old. But we will never become old if we continue to study.’
Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, and Tetiana Sybiha, founder of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association and Head of the Centre for Public Diplomacy of the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the MFA, also gave welcome speeches.
Xavier Bettel shared his thoughts about his experience as a diplomat and the importance of reforming international law, and gave a practical piece of advice to the students: ‘The world is a bit crazy for the moment: everything is changing. The advice I would like to give you is that no matter if you come from a big country or a small one, no matter what your religion, traditions, or beliefs are, the most important thing is to treat others with respect. Listen to people and convince them by arguments […] After all, ultimately, common problems need common solutions.’
At the end of the diplomatic forum, the academy’s representatives presented memorable gifts to distinguished guests as a sign of respect and gratitude for the interesting discussion. In return, diplomats from Indonesia and Mexico, as well as the Honorary Consul of Senegal, presented gifts to the President of the Ostroh Academy, Ihor Pasichnyk.
After productive networking, the diplomats visited the university’s modern intellectual centres, including the Robotics Laboratory and the Centre of Creative Industries, and then enjoyed the beauty of the landscape park and blossoming Japanese cherry trees on the academy’s territory.
