Round table "Urban X-Change Network II: Poltava Dimension"
In the modern world, adult education and non-formal education are gaining special importance as a tool for promoting citizens' participation in cultural, social, economic life and international partnership.
On 21st November 2024, the Ukrainian-German round table "Urban X-Change Network II: Poltava Dimension" was held at the Poltava University of Economics and Trade. This Round Table became the starting point for the implementation of the project "Bridges - German-Ukrainian Partnership Project in the Field of Education, Culture and Citizen Diplomacy".
The project is implemented by the German Adult Education Association (DVV International) with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office.
On the side of the city of Poltava, the project is implemented by the Public Organization "Center for Adult Education of Poltava Region" in partnership with the Poltava University of Economics and Trade. The German partner cities are represented by the three adult education centres (vhs) of Ostfildern, Filderstadt, and Leinfelden-Echterdingen.
The participants of the Round Table in Poltava had the opportunity to communicate and brainstorm on issues of city development in the university shelter, equipped with the project funds in the new URBAN space, and share their experiences with the participants who were connected from vhs of the German partner cities. The communication took place in Ukrainian and German, with the invitation of translators by the German side.
The round table brought together representatives of various spheres of Poltava's public life - civil society, science, business, community, internally displaced persons, veterans and their families, as well as everyone interested in the development of the city and the establishment of international cooperation. The speakers included the rector of the Poltava University of Economics and Trade, laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in the field of science and technology, Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine, Professor Oleksiy Nestulya, First Deputy Mayor Valery Parkhomenko, Head of the Department of the State Service for the Quality of Education in Poltava Region Yuriy Krashchenko, and Director of DVV International Ukraine office Oleg Smirnov.
After the speeches, the participants were invited to discuss ideas on the implementation of image strategies to represent Poltava and partner cities on the international arena. The topics were aligned with the STREAM concept - Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. This approach combines different fields of knowledge, stimulating innovative thinking and the development of modern urban environments.
In spring 2025, the project partners are planning a two-week Ukrainian-German cultural and educational festival, which will be organised and held in an equally creative form.
