Diana NausÄ—dienÄ—: The Ukrainian Center has become a platform for humanism and academic partnership

On Saturday in Vilnius, at the Ukrainian Center, First Lady Diana Nausėdienė took part in the international forum "Recovery of Ukraine: New Opportunities and Development Scenarios," dedicated to commemorating the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

"Today, together we continue to raise bright hope that one day the people of Ukraine, the residents of Europe and the world on different continents affected by the consequences of the war in Ukraine, will finally regain the inherent right of every person to live in peace. They will be able to develop constructive dialogue, act rationally, feel safe, and build their well-being in peace. We must already today speak about Ukraine's future in Europe and Europe's future in Ukraine, about all the progressive processes we believe in," Diana Nausėdienė said.

According to the First Lady, Ukraine's recovery today is primarily about restoring its people - strengthening their confidence, identity, and ability to create and cooperate. Sustainable recovery begins with education, culture, academic ties, and community building.

Speaking about the activities of the Ukrainian Center, Diana Nausėdienė emphasized that over the past four years an open and vibrant space of fellowship has been consistently developed there, bringing together the academic community, diplomats, non-governmental organizations, and municipalities.

"Thanks to our united efforts, the Vytautas Magnus University's Academy of Education has become a citadel of humanism. With the establishment of the Ukrainian Center, it has become not only a safe educational and cultural space for Ukrainian children and youth at a time when young people's growth processes could not wait, be delayed, or postponed into the future, but also something more - a guarantee of advancement for all generations, a hub and engine for integrating different cultures. Sincere and effective joint human efforts were made to ensure that the Ukrainian refugee community could withstand the brutal and complex pressure from the aggressor without falling apart," the First Lady said.

According to Diana Nausėdienė, today the Ukrainian Center is a shared open space for academic exchange, cultural dialogue, and practical cooperation, where long-term solutions for Ukraine's reconstruction are taking shape. It strengthens leadership, trust, and intercultural dialogue - values that will be essential to rebuilding the country after the war.

The forum also highlighted trilateral academic cooperation between Lithuania, Ukraine, and Poland. A memorandum was signed between Vytautas Magnus University and the University of Silesia, strengthening academic exchanges and developing practical partnerships that contribute to the long-term recovery of Ukraine and regional cooperation.

The First Lady also underscored the importance of the native language and cultural identity. "Language is extremely important because it allows us to recognize our unique identity and sense of belonging to our homeland, culture, and history. Through our native language, we foster dialogue, community, and statehood. It is no coincidence that Russia, in its attack on Ukraine, is undermining the right of Ukrainians to speak and think in Ukrainian as the fundamental target," Diana Nausėdienė said.

According to the First Lady, strengthening culture, language, and education is an integral part of Ukraine's recovery and long-term resilience - it is an investment in a mature, creative, and self-confident society.

The First Lady emphasized that for four years Lithuania has been supporting Ukrainian children through concrete educational and social support initiatives, not only in Lithuania but also in Ukraine itself. These include coordinating the return of children to Ukraine, providing psychosocial assistance, and supporting reintegration. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to strengthen human potential, focused on long-term social resilience.

The Ukrainian Center was established on the initiative of the First Ladies of Lithuania and Ukraine. Its founders are the Office of the President of Lithuania, Vytautas Magnus University, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Lithuania. Over the past four years, the Center has become an important platform for soft diplomacy and academic partnership.

The opening address at the forum was delivered by First Lady Diana Nausėdienė. The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, greeted participants via video message. Other key speakers included Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, and Ukraine's Ambassador to Lithuania, Olha Nikitchenko.