The International University hosted a meeting with prominent American public figures Doug Burley and Michael Zovner, who have been supporting Ukraine and promoting Ukrainian-American partnership for many years. The guests are among the key organizers of the international prayer breakfast movement, as well as the long-standing National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, which brings together representatives of political, public, religious, and business circles from around the world.
The honored guests were welcomed to the university by the President of the International University, Academician Serhii Kivalov, the management of the educational institution, teachers and students. The event was also attended by the Chairman of the University Supervisory Board, MP, Head of the Subcommittee on Higher Education of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science and Innovations Yulia Hryshyna, MP Mykhailo Sokolov, representatives of the public and other honored guests.
During the meeting, Serhiy Kivalov thanked the American guests for their consistent support of Ukraine, attention to youth development, and willingness to share their own experience with the student community. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of international cooperation, academic contacts, and exchange of experience between representatives of different countries.
In an open dialogue format, Doug Burley and Michael Zovner talked about their own path in public service, shared their views on modern leadership, the role of moral principles in society, and the importance of personal responsibility in professional and public activities. They paid special attention to the topics of serving society, developing civic consciousness, and forming an active life position.
During the conversation with the students, the guests answered numerous questions about international cooperation, the activities of public organizations, intercultural communication, and the peculiarities of building partnerships between countries. The participants of the meeting had the opportunity to get acquainted with the practical experience of implementing public initiatives that unite representatives of different countries around joint humanitarian and social projects.
A separate topic of conversation was the support of Ukraine from the international community. The American guests expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people, noted their resilience and desire to develop democratic institutions. They also wished Ukrainians peace, unity, and successful implementation of future projects aimed at the reconstruction and development of the state.
The meeting was held in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue and mutual interest. Such events contribute to the expansion of international contacts of the university, create additional opportunities for the professional and personal development of students, and also allow young people to communicate directly with representatives of the international public community.
The development of such communication platforms is one of the directions of the university’s activity aimed at expanding international cooperation, strengthening partnerships and involving students in the global educational and social space. It is thanks to such meetings that young people get the opportunity to get acquainted with different models of public activity, expand their own worldview and establish contacts that can become the basis for future educational, scientific and professional initiatives.
