"When Soft Power Serves as an Armour Against Russia: The Hidden Power of Ukraine’s Civil Society"

Initially expected to collapse following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has instead demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of authoritarian aggression. Underpinning this strength is a vibrant civil society shaped by decades of transformation.

In his presentation, Andriy Shevchenko will examine how the vitality and adaptive capacity of Ukrainian civil society have contributed directly to the country’s defense—from documenting Russian war crimes and international advocacy to mobilizing volunteer networks to fund and deliver weapons to the frontlines. Drawing on these examples and insights from Ukrainian NGOs, he will demonstrate how international support for civil society has strengthened Ukraine’s capacity to resist aggression. He will also explore parallels with other democracies facing pressure from powerful authoritarian neighbours and consider the lessons these countries may draw from and share with Ukraine.

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