Up the mountains, the steps may be slow,
But the souls of the highlands in greatness grow.
Climb to the peak — and what you will find:
A human stands taller than mountains behind.

(adapted from the poetry of Stepan Pushyk)

From 1 to 4 May 2025, picturesque Yaremche—the heart of the Ukrainian Carpathians—became a place of strength, dialogue, and new decisions. Here, at the tourist complex “Carpathian Stars” (“Карпатські Зорі”), the spring session of the International Carpathian School took place—a traditional interdisciplinary meeting space for researchers, educators, students, conservationists, museum professionals, heritage experts, government representatives, and civic activists.

The event was organized by the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine, together with the regional charitable organization “Center for Community Initiatives” (Kosiv, Ivano‑Frankivsk region), within the framework of the international project “Shifting towards Ecotourism in Protected Areas through Heritage Interpretation,” co‑funded by the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The Fund’s mission is to promote ideas of sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

This year’s session was held in hybrid format and brought together more than 70 participants, most of whom joined in person, while many also participated online from various parts of Ukraine and abroad.

This year’s event focused in particular on youth as a driving force for change—in both science and civil initiatives. A significant portion of the participants were students, members of NECU’s youth unit, and representatives of partner institutions, all of whom had the opportunity to present their ideas, developments, and research results across all thematic sections.

Day 1

The opening of the session began, not with formalities, but with a deep immersion in the local context. Participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Yaremche—its museums, ethnographic routes, spiritual landmarks, and living cultural heritage of the Hutsul region. They visited local sites such as the “Probiy” waterfall, stopped by a traditional souvenir market, and admired the architecture of the legendary “Hutsulshchyna” restaurant.

The journey continued to the Ecotourist Visitor Center and wildlife enclosure of the Carpathian National Nature Park—places where nature speaks the language of peace and strength. Later, the group immersed themselves in the cultural dimension of Yaremche, visiting the Museum of Ethnography and Ecology of the Carpathian Region and exploring the “Park of Legends”—an atmospheric space that brings Hutsul myths, images, and spirit to life.

This introduction to the region not only revealed its richness, but also set the participants up for a deep, meaningful engagement with the event’s themes.

After the excursion, participants gathered for the opening plenary session, which was opened by Mykola Blyzniuk—one of the founders of the Carpathian School, head of the organizing committee, and national coordinator of the international project “Shifting towards Ecotourism in Protected Areas through Heritage Interpretation.” In his opening remarks, he greeted the participants, introduced the project, its core activities, and expected outcomes.

Special attention was given to the Carpathian School Proceedings, which this year were released before the event itself—as a symbol of readiness for dialogue and professional collaboration.

During the first part of the plenary session, participants got acquainted. The following individuals addressed the audience with welcoming remarks:

  • Ruslan Havryliuk, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Chairman of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine; National Coordinator of the Ukrainian Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum;
  • Valerii Mykhailenko, International Project Coordinator, PhD in Chemistry, Associate Professor at the Kyiv Medical University (private higher education institution);
  • Viktoriia Kiptenko, PhD in Geography, Associate Professor, Department of Regional Studies and Tourism, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv;
  • Serhii Novopysmennyi, Professor, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Management, Poltava National Pedagogical University named after V. H. Korolenko;
  • Fedir Hamor, Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Deputy Director of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve;
  • Veronika Popova, Coordinator of the Youth Subdivision of NECU, Master student, Faculty of Geography, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv;
  • Oleksandr Kiseliuk, PhD in Biology, Deputy Director for Science, Carpathian National Nature Park, who spoke about the park’s activities.

One of the important moments of the plenary was the official signing of two memoranda of cooperation between the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and:

Afterwards, each participant—whether present in person or online—had the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves and share their motivation for being part of the event.

The second part of the plenary featured a series of insightful presentations by leading experts from Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, including:

At the end of the session, there was a detailed presentation of the Carpathian School Proceedings – 2025, reflecting the key ideas and research directions of all participants.

Thus concluded the first day—enriched with content, inspiration, and readiness for cooperation.

Day 2: Tourism, Heritage, and Education for Sustainable Development

The second day of the spring session of the International Carpathian School was entirely devoted to in-depth work in sectional sessions. Participants delved into practical and theoretical aspects of sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, nature protection, and the role of education in transformational change.

The sessions were moderated by Tetiana Bozhuk, Zhanna Buchko, and Viktoriia Kiptenko.

Session I. Sustainable Development of Tourism: Preservation and Protection of Heritage

This session featured diverse experiences from Ukraine and Europe—from outdoor museums to smart solutions and local community development cases.

Key presentations included:

A separate focus was the cultural heritage of Hutsul region and Precarpathia, with these presentations:

Day 2 continued: Nature Use and Conservation in the Carpathians

A major theme was the challenges and opportunities in preserving the environmental balance of the Carpathians: from forests and water bodies to agro‑ecology and biodiversity. Participants presented practical research, technological solutions, and ecological initiatives aimed at sustainable resource management in the region.

Notable presentations included:

Session II. Education for Sustainable Development: Current Challenges and Prospects

The focus shifted to the role of education in sustainable development, covering institutional strategies, local initiatives, civic observatories, and educational innovations.

Highlighted presentations included:

Panel discussions included Myroslav Malovany, Heorhii Veremiichyk, and Volodymyr Artamonov, expanding the discussion with practical cases linking science, policy, and education.

Officiel civic action:

During the second day, alongside academic discussions and sessions, a strong civic voice emerged. Participants drafted and submitted an official appeal to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, opposing further flooding of the Buzkyi Gard—an exceptional historical‑natural landscape in southern Ukraine.

In the appeal, participants expressed categorical disagreement with plans to raise the Alexandriivske reservoir level, which threatens national‑significance territories, part of the Emerald Network, conservation sites, and places of historical memory.

This document stands as an example of unity among scientists, ecologists, educators, and activists around the fundamental cause of preserving Ukraine’s cultural and natural heritage.

Day 3:

The third day of the spring session was dedicated to a field‑based regional education and exploration program. Participants traveled to the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve—one of the most unique protected sites in Ukraine—located in the city of Rakhiv, Transcarpathia.

The journey was no ordinary tour—it was a profound immersion into the ecological, scientific, and cultural essence of the Carpathians.

They received a welcome address from Deputy Director Fedir Hamor.

The program included presentations by reserve staff:

The Museum of Mountain Ecology and the History of Nature Use in the Ukrainian Carpathians, located in Rakhiv, particularly impressed—a space where nature speaks through artifacts, historical documents, installations, and atmosphere.

Next, participants visited the educational center “Center of Europe” in Dilove— a symbolic geographic landmark near Europe’s geographical center. Here they held informal discussions about ideas conceived over the previous days, in the relaxed and natural setting of the mountains.

Interactive activities included:

  • A quiz “Love and Know Your Native Land,” with participants receiving postcards and flyers as prizes;
  • A game for students and schoolchildren “Travel the Carpathians!”;
  • Introduction to Hutsul traditions—playing the trembita (traditional horn);
  • Signing the Honorary Guest Book at the geographical Center of Europe and receiving a commemorative certificate.

A key event of the day was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.

Day 4:

The closing day of the spring session marked the logical conclusion of the four‑day intellectual and professional journey. On this day, the final plenary took place, moderated by Ruslan Havryliuk, Oleh Bondarenko, and Yevhen Bovsунovsky.

A highlight was the roundtable on “Investment development of the International Carpathian School: future plans,” where participants had the opportunity to exchange impressions, ask questions, and make comments and suggestions regarding the School’s future development.

During this session, Oleh Bondarenko, Deputy Head of NECU, presented the organization’s grant project activities, including:

  • Experience in European grant programs;
  • Directions of implemented projects;
  • Challenges of modern ecological activity.

The final day of the spring session culminated in the adoption of a resolution. The document includes key positions, such as: integration of education for sustainable development at all educational levels; support for ecotourism based on heritage; student and researcher mobility; and an active role of national parks in public education.

The Spring Session of the Carpathian School – 2025 concluded, leaving behind not just an intense program, but a deep sense of community, responsibility, and hope.

We thank all participants—scientists, educators, students, ecologists, museum professionals, activists, partners, and friends—for your energy, openness, and readiness to act.

The International Carpathian School is more than an event—it is a space where partnerships are born, new ideas are shaped, and the bond between nature, culture, and humanity is strengthened.

See you again in the Carpathians—with new topics, deeper research, and a shared purpose: to preserve, develop, and inspire.

The Carpathians inspire! Yaremche unites! And the International Carpathian School – 2025 is the summit we reached together!

Photo Album: International Carpathian School — Spring 2025, Yaremche

Українська версія

The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund.
The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

Категорія: За замовчуванням22.06.2025