On December 5, Kyiv hosted the 12th Civil Society Development Forum, “What Gives Us Strength,” bringing together around 4,000 participants. Among the attendees were civic activists, volunteers, representatives of charity and civil organizations, government institutions, international partners, and others. Members of the BGV Charity Fund’s team also participated in the forum.
The forum coincided with International Volunteer Day on December 5 for the second consecutive year. The ISAR Ednannia Civil Society Organization organized the event, featuring 16 locations with various themes, 150 speaker presentations, and panel discussions that spanned the entire day.
A unique aspect of this year’s forum was the digital resurrection of historical figures in Ukraine’s history, including Lesya Ukrainka and Symon Petliura. Through digital technology, they came to life to converse with contemporary piers. The central question collectively pondered during the forum was “What Gives Us Strength,” serving as the central theme for reflections and discussions.
Throughout the discussions, the forum highlighted the challenges faced by Ukrainian society during the war, along with the challenges citizens need to prepare for in the future when the Ukrainian territories are de-occupied.