The participation of the Ukrainian delegation was thanks to Ecsite with the support of the Simons Foundation, a US-based foundation whose mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

During the Conference, the Ukrainian delegation took part in professional development sessions and workshops specifically designed to address the needs of the science engagement movement and make up for educational losses in Ukraine. In particular, the team from Ukraine attended the lecture “Empowering audiences: An introduction to participatory methods for science engagement”, delivered by Paola Rodari and Andrea Bandelli, experts in the field of science communication who have been facilitating workshops to implement interactive and discussion-based science engagement methods for many years.

In addition, our delegation presented to the Conference participants and hosts a comprehensive programme, “Shaping a Better Future Together”. This programme includes a plan to launch science centres with exhibition spaces and training laboratories in the western and central regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation also exhibited at the Ecsite Trade Show, to demonstrate its activities, which was also attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia, Andrii Taran.

"Our country is in trouble today: the enemy is destroying our schools, universities, and research institutions. A large number of children are temporarily displaced. They have lost their homes and relatives and are unable to continue their learning. However, thanks to our friends, partners, the Ecsite network and leadership, we have been given a unique opportunity to create new museums and science centres in the safer regions. As of today, we have already established 11 locations that provide educational and psychological support for Ukrainian children," says Stanislav Dovgyi, President of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

According to the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia, Andrii Taran, “It is extremely important to represent Ukraine globally, to demonstrate our achievements in the field of science engagement of children and youth. The activity of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine aimed to provide educational support to children and young people gives us confidence that the future of Ukraine will be secured through sustainable innovative development.”

The Ukrainian delegation had the opportunity to communicate with educators, researchers, and science professionals from around the world. The members of the delegation shared their experience of working amid the full-scale russian-armed aggression and drew attention to Ukrainian scientific and educational projects that were of interest to foreign partners.

"It was a great pleasure to meet with our friends and partners and express our gratitude for their comprehensive assistance and support of the scientific and educational sector of Ukraine, and the educational initiatives of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. After all, the Ecsite conference is a meeting of a large family of like-minded professionals who are open to cooperation for a better future!" – Vasyl Dunets, Deputy Director for the Development of Science Centres and International Strategic Projects at the National Centre “Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”, shared his experience of cooperation with Ecsite.

*Note. In 2024, Ecsite, supported by the Simons Foundation, is leading a series of projects to support science engagement in Ukraine in collaboration with Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. This collaboration includes the donation of several exhibitions (and exhibits) to Ukrainian science centres by Ecsite members, the training of 15 experts from Ukraine at the 2024 Ecsite Conference and a one-week training for 5 employees of the JAS at Copernicus Science Centre (Warsaw, Poland).
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