Different experience — common environment: Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic joined the discussion on supportive communication in war conditions
On September 29, a joint event of the working group on veteran practices, the ESG Committee and the Marketing and Communications Committee of the European Business Association took place in partnership with the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II — «Seeing a person through words. How businesses can communicate with people with different war experiences.»
The event brought together representatives of business, the public sector, education, and veterans’ professionals to discuss an important issue: how to build communication based on respect, trust, and understanding of each person’s experience.
The Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University was presented by the first vice-rector Serhiy Shylo. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of transforming the educational process in war conditions and taking into account the experience of students, military personnel, veterans and internally displaced persons. He paid special attention to creating a safe and supportive educational space, in which respect for each person and understanding of their needs become the basis of interaction.
During the meeting, the participants noted that the successful adaptation of veterans to civilian and professional life requires mutual support, open dialogue, respect for personal experience, and the creation of conditions for professional development. Important components of such interaction are the readiness of the team for dialogue, flexibility, clear rules, opportunities for professional development, and respect for personal experience.
Special attention was paid to the principles of a trauma-informed approach, including safety, trust, mutual support, and the right of the individual to their own voice and choice. These principles are important not only for business, but also for the university community, where people with different war experiences study and work.
Our university’s participation in such professional discussions promotes the exchange of experience between the educational environment, business, and the public sector and helps find approaches to creating a safe, responsive, and barrier-free space.
Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University continues to develop an educational environment in which mutual respect, support, and attention to the needs of each person are the foundation of the community.
We pool experience, strengthen support, create change together!
