International Cultural Diplomacy Forum 2025
International Cultural Diplomacy Forum 2025
The International Cultural Diplomacy Forum (ICDF) is an annual conference that brings together leading experts from Ukraine and other countries to discuss insights, best practices, challenges, and the future of international cultural diplomacy and cultural relations.
About the Forum
On October 6, Ukraine’s capital hosted the sixth International Cultural Diplomacy Forum expert conference, bringing together representatives from government institutions, international organizations, cultural institutions, and civil society to discuss the growing role of cultural diplomacy amid global change and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Programme:
- 09:00 – 09:45
Registration and welcome coffee
- 09:45 – 09:55
Opening Remarks
Andrii Sybiha
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
- 09:55 – 10:10
Welcome speech
Volodymyr Sheiko
Director General, Ukrainian Institut
- 10:10 – 10:25
Keynote Speech: The Role of Culture in Achieving Just and Sustainable Peace
Oleksandra Matviichuk
human rights lawyer, head of the Center for Civil Liberties, Nobel Peace Prize recipient (2022)
- 10:25 – 11:15
Opening panel
Speakers:
Sergiy Kyslytsya
First Deputy Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Hanna Shelest
Director of Security Programmes at Foreign Policy Council ‘Ukrainian Prism’, Head of The Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Institute
Volodymyr Sheiko
Director General, Ukrainian Institut
Oleksandr Sushko
Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation
Moderator:
Alina Frolova
Founder, Stratcom Ukraine and Invictus Games: Team Ukraine
- 11:15 – 11:25
Welcome speech
Olena Zelenska
First Lady of Ukraine
- 11:25 – 12:05
Panel discussion: Science Diplomacy and the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies
Speakers:
Yevhen Kudriavets
First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine
Mridula Ghosh
Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Board Chair, East European Development Institute
Natalia Khanenko-Friesen
Director, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, Canada (online)
Rory Finnin
Professor of Ukrainian Studies at Cambridge University, Members of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Institute (online)
Moderator:
Alim Aliev
Deputy Director, Ukrainian Institute
- 12:05 – 12:45
Coffee break
- 12:45 – 13:15
Overview of the Ukrainian Institute’s Key Projects in 2026
- 13:15 – 14:05
Panel discussion: Ukraine’s Strategic Perspectives in International Cultural Relations
Speakers:
Guillaume Habert
Director of the French Institute in Ukraine, France
Olha Bregman
Ukrainian Film Producer
Sanjoy Roy
Director of Teamwork Arts, India (online)
Katalin Tünde Huber
Head of the Department for the Organisation of Cultural and Scientific Events Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Austria (online)
Paweł Potoroczyn
Diplomat, Writer, Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute (2008–2016), Poland (online)
Moderator:
Tetyana Filevska
Creative Director, Ukrainian Institute
- 14:05 – 14:20
Technical paus
- 14:20 – 15:15
Ceremonial Presentation of the Prize for the Promotion of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar Languages Worldwide
The Hvylya / Dalğa Prize recognises those who have made a significant contribution to the promotion and dissemination of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar languages worldwide. It aims to increase interest in these languages, encourage initiatives in their support, and broaden knowledge about Ukraine.
Welcome speeches:
Andrii Sybiha
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Alim Aliev
Deputy Director, Ukrainian Institute
Iryna Kliuchkovska
Chair of the Award Jury, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations at Lviv Polytechnic National University
Refat Chubarov
Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and the World Congress of Crimean Tatars
- Award Laureate for the Promotion of the Ukrainian Language Worldwide (online)
- Award Laureate for the Promotion of the Crimean Tatar Language Worldwide (online)
- 15:15 – 17:00
Closing Session, Reception, and Networking
Organised by:
Organised by:
