The Student Scientific Society of the Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations, History and Philosophy at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy actively participated in the meeting with Andrii Yurash, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The meeting with students majoring in C3 “International Relations” took place with the support of the NGO “Action Diplomacy”, which made it possible to ensure a genuine dialogue between the diplomat and the youth.

The lecture focused on the specifics of the diplomatic service in the Vatican, Ukraine’s cooperation with the Holy See, and collaboration with the Order of Malta. Mr. Ambassador shared unique examples from diplomatic practice and outlined the current challenges facing the Holy See, as well as the relations between Ukraine and the Vatican during the war launched by the russian federation against Ukraine.

In the discussion part, students asked about the challenges in the work of the ambassador to the Holy See and the Order of Malta, about the Holy See’s assistance to Ukraine – particularly regarding children, medicines, and humanitarian aid in general. Several other questions also touched upon religious diplomacy and the visits of cardinals to Ukraine with humanitarian support.

Student Dariia Honcharenko asked which tool of cultural diplomacy in the Vatican is more effective: emphasizing the uniqueness of Ukrainian culture or highlighting universal community values that unite us with the European and Christian tradition. In his response, Andrii Yurash underlined the importance of a harmonious combination of both approaches and gave examples demonstrating their complementarity in creating a profound cultural dialogue. The dynamic discussion of topical issues engaged everyone present, and it became clear that there was not enough time to explore all the problems of modern global diplomacy. Traditionally, the Ambassador was asked to continue the conversation, to which he kindly agreed. Such meetings help students not only gain new knowledge but also see themselves as active participants in the global process, where it is the young generation that has the opportunity to become the voice of Ukraine in the world.

The Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations, History and Philosophy