On August 23, Professor Olena Budnyk, Director of the Centre, participated in the IV All-Ukrainian Symposium with international participation, where she presented a report titled “Inclusiveness in the Post(war) Time: On the Values of Barrier-Free Mental, Physical, and Educational Dimensions.” Her presentation highlighted case studies of notable individuals with special needs who, despite various challenges, achieved professional and personal success and gained worldwide recognition. The report provided a philosophical and educational analysis of the inclusion issue, addressing key aspects of its practical implementation in light of wartime challenges and post-war prospects. The symposium also featured a drawing for a copy of the English-language collective monograph “The Space of Inclusive Education: Voices from Ukraine and Beyond”, edited by Olena Budnyk and Sergiy Sydoriv, which was published by BRILL in March 2024.
The scientific and methodological symposium, titled “Psychological, Pedagogical, Medical, and Rehabilitation Principles of Society Inclusiveness in Wartime and Postwar Ukraine,” was held online on August 23-24. It brought together academics, practitioners, speakers, and participants from across Ukraine, who discussed the challenges, issues, and future prospects of inclusive education, shared experiences from inclusive resource centers, and explored the use of technology and innovations in working with children with special needs affected by war trauma.