KSU Rector Participates in International Conference as Part of Democracy Week
As part of Democracy Week 2026 currently taking place in Kristiansand, Norway, the team from Kherson State University attended the "Cities 4 Democracy" conference.
The event brings together mayors, representatives of European institutions, and civil society leaders to explore how local governments can strengthen democratic resilience through public participation, innovation, and robust partnerships with the civic sector.
Oleksandr Spivakovskiy, Rector of KSU, attended the conference and shared his insights:
“The context of the discussion is particularly interesting to me, given my experience as a former Member of Parliament and my current role as a deputy of the Kherson Regional Council. My home region, Kherson, is facing incredibly difficult times. Often, it is the civic sector and volunteers who step in to fulfill the roles needed by communities where local self-government has unfortunately ceased to function due to the war. We discussed democratic values, the challenges facing democracy today, and the vital role of local government, which is always on the front lines, closest to the people. Every community and every country has its own unique experience, which makes these discussions so valuable. It was a pleasure to meet Mathias Bernander, Mayor of Kristiansand, and Oleksandr Sienkievich, Mayor of Mykolaiv, and to hear from the other speakers,” commented Rector Oleksandr Spivakovskiy.
KSU Press Center