Activities and Events

Andriy Ivanchenko, Vice-Rector for Academic and Pedagogical Affairs, Socio-Economic Development and Youth Policy, welcomed the participants.

The training session was led by Svitlana Sadikova and Sofiia Stepanenko, heads of the trade union committee for undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral students at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, who had taken part in the 2026 Youth Trade Union Leadership School in Lviv. They shared with the students the knowledge, experience and practices they had gained during their training.

Throughout the event, participants worked in teams, where they explored together what a trade union is, what its key functions are, and what unites its members. Through discussion and the exchange of views, they were able to develop a modern vision of trade union activity in a constantly changing environment.

The participants also learnt more about the structure of trade unions in Ukraine — how it is organised, how other trade unions operate, and what role each of them plays within the overall system.

Particular attention was paid to the challenges facing trade unions today. Working in teams, the students identified operational issues and actively sought effective ways to resolve them.

The training session provided a platform for open dialogue, new insights and bringing together active individuals keen to improve the trade union movement 🚀

The school brought together active young people from the education sector to learn, share experiences, develop modern skills and strengthen the role of young people in the trade union movement.

Day one featured the official opening, introductions and an open discussion. Participants learnt about the Ukrainian-German trade union partnership, discussed the role of young people in trade unions and set the agenda for the coming days.

On the second day, participants explored the themes of psychological resilience and recovery in wartime, learning to better understand themselves and support those around them. In addition, the young people gained a grasp of artificial intelligence tools in education — from a basic understanding to confident application in their work. The day concluded with an introduction to the basics of project management — skills that everyone needs to bring any initiative to fruition.

The final day marked the culmination of three days’ work. Participants presented their own projects, shared best practices in youth trade union work, and worked on developing training initiatives that will have a tangible impact across Ukraine’s regions.

The Youth Trade Union Leadership School has become a powerful educational platform for the country’s young people, as well as a space for meeting new people, networking and finding inspiration. New knowledge, ideas and people are a step towards a strong, active and informed youth trade union movement 🚀

The event was organised by the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine in partnership with the German Education Union (GEW).