SHAPING UKRAINIAN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH THROUGH EUROPEAN VALUES: KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE JEAN MONNET EVUESS MODULE

Abstract

Amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and the broader transformation of the European security landscape, the role of education, science, and sport in embedding core European values has become increasingly significant. The Jean Monnet EVUESS Module, implemented at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, has emerged as a key initiative in fostering a value-based approach within Ukrainian higher education. This article explores how the module facilitates the understanding and practical integration of fundamental EU principles, such as democracy, human rights, inclusivity, solidarity, and resilience, into Ukrainian institutions’ academic, scientific, and extracurricular environments. Through experiential learning strategies, creative engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the EVUESS Module empowers students to reflect on European values theoretically and experience them in action. Initiatives such as the European Values Championship and the symbolic Jean Monnet Alley are concrete examples of how civic engagement and teamwork can reinforce abstract concepts. These activities gave students meaningful opportunities to internalize EU values while developing critical 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, cooperation, intercultural communication, and civic responsibility. The war’s destabilizing effects on Ukraine’s institutions and the growing societal need for unity, peace, and sustainable development underscore the urgency of Ukraine’s integration into the EU. Against this backdrop, the module also addresses the broader EU-Ukraine agenda, contributing to strategic communication, cultural diplomacy, and reform efforts that bring Ukraine closer to full European integration. The EVUESS Module exemplifies how transformative learning can support national recovery and enhance the country’s readiness to access the European Union by embedding European values across education, science, and civic life sectors.