Nanovic Institute for European Studies

“We know that this war, triggered by the aggression of Russia’s leader, has gone on for far too long — more than three years now — and the people of Ukraine continue to courageously defend themselves, defying all odds." A Transformation of Heart: https://lnkd.in/eDvPeF5y Nanovic Institute for European Studies University of Notre Dame - Keough School of Global Affairs University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Magazine

Big things are happening today at the University of Notre Dame. We’re talking about Ukraine at the 2025 Ukrainian Studies Conference at Inauguration of Ukrainian Studies Hub. This event is possible due to the commitment and long-lasting partnership of Notre Dame’s Nanovic Institute for European Studies, part of the University of Notre Dame - Keough School of Global Affairs, and the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU)—choosing to build unity in a world where so many are pushing for division. At the center of the conference is the topic of hope. And more than ever, I want to believe that hope is alive in the people standing with us here in the U.S. today. And I witness how people in US need hope now not less than Ukrainians. Big appreciation to everyone working with us to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience—for your words, your actions, and your vision for the future. ?? “People of Ukraine continue to courageously defend themselves, define all odds. Let me perfectly clear: We, here at Notre Dame, stand with people of Ukraine and offer them our full support. We all want peace, no doubt about that, but a sustainable peace is not possible if wishes of Ukrainian people are not respected. Peace is not possible if aggression seen to be rewarded. In this specially challenging time it is important not to lose hope.” — President of University of Notre Dame Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. at 2025 Ukrainian Studies Conference “Revolutions of Hope: Resilience and Recovery in Ukraine” ?? “Today, being a Ukrainian is not about being comfortable. Foreigners re not rushing to obtain a Ukrainian passport or even to pay Ukraine a visit. Today, our enemy is trying to make Ukraine a symbol of failure and ruin. To live by hope in such a country means to be on a mission - to bring hope where it hurts, where things fall apart, and where anxiety overwhelms. For war-torn Ukraine, hope is not only a spiritual resource, not only a source of strength for individuals in difficult times but also a strategic security asset.” — Taras Dobko, Rector of Ukrainian Catholic University during his remarks ?? “When I had commencement speech at University of Notre Dame in 2022 I shared this thought of decolonizing russian studies and today ND sets special example. It is academic scholar response to one of the biggest crisis in humanity on the globe right now. I want to thank ND for that and I hope many universities will follow. Such event is very hopeful: millions of people, our nations will get their voice through this, their story is recognised and most importantly their future dignity has a chance.” — Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of UGCC in Philadelphia, President of Ukrainian Catholic University during conversation on Cultivating Hope in Ukraine with Rori Finnin, Professor of Ukrainian Studies, University of Cambridge.

Ukrainian war photojournalist Iva Sidash‘s “Traces of Tender Lives” exhibit at Notre Dame’s Nanovic Institute for European Studies. “These walls speak of love, of tenderness, of keeping memory alive, carrying the hope that one day people will return home.” ???? ?? ????

One cannot say the word “hope” in Ukrainian (nadiya) without saying “action” (diya), for hope demands action and a conviction that what we do today matters for tomorrow - even in the face of difficult odds. “Contra spem spero”, in the words of Lesya Ukrainka: against all hope, I hope. She was a leading Ukrainian writer, political and civil activist at the turn of last century. Her words resonate to this day. Very honored to have been part of the very insightful, moving and insipirational conference “Revolutions of Hope”. Thank you to the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, University of Notre Dame, and Ukrainian Catholic University. #standwithukraine

Please feel free to join our concluding session of the Revolutions of Hope conference, the first conference of the Ukrainian Studies Hub at Notre Dame.

A partnership of research, solidarity, and friendship ... The Ukrainian Catholic University delegation gathers to take a photo with Nanovic Institute leaders Clemens Sedmak, director and professor of social ethics at the Keough School of Global Affairs, and Grant Osborn, senior associate director.

“I hope that today Ukraine can give America hope to not be afraid. Don’t be afraid at Notre Dame. Say what you have to say. Say what is true. Witness. Make the stand for the immigrants, for the poor, for the unjustly fired, because it’s easy to get crushed by fear." -- Archbishop Borys Gudziak https://lnkd.in/eDvPeF5y Nanovic Institute for European Studies University of Notre Dame - Keough School of Global Affairs University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Magazine

Please join us NOW to hear from Serhii Plokhii, Mykhailo S. Hrushevs'kyi Professor of Ukrainian History and Director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. He will speak on "The Power of Hope: The Russo-Ukrainian War through the Eyes of a Historian."

Archbishop Borys Gudziak spoke at the first session of the Ukrainian Studies Hub Conference, "Revolutions of Hope: Resilience and Recovery in Ukraine." His conversation with Rory Finnin (Cambridge University) was preceded by remarks from Ambassador Oksana Markarova, University President Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., Svitlana Ramer, and Rector Taras Dobko (Ukrainian Catholic University).

In approximately 5 minutes, the first session of the Ukrainian Studies Conference at Notre Dame begins. If you will not be able to join us in person, please tune into the livestream to hear from University President Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, and Taras Dobko, rector of Ukrainian Catholic University.