On April 10, 2024, a group of universities, cultural institutions and non-governmental organisations from 3SI and associated countries created the Three Seas Initiative Cultural Cooperation Network. The 3SICCN officially started its work in Vilnius. The representatives from Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, France, Lithuania, Ukraine and Greece signed the Multilateral Agreement and held a conference “3SI Cultural Cooperation Space. “Art and Science, Public Policy, Education and Business”. This event was held as part of the Three Seas Summit as a side event of the Vilnius 2024 Trilateral Business Forum.
The 3SICCN is a group of cultural institutions, museums, galleries, art universities and associations of artists and art historians that initiate cooperation in the context of the Three Seas Initiative. The partners want to support each other in researching culture and art. The 3SICCN understands the field of art, design, education and creative industries not only as a space for public diplomacy, but also as an important sector of the region’s economy that has a strong impact on the lives of citizens and covers a significant financial volume.
Ivan Gryshchenko, Rector of the University of Technologies and Design, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, signed the documents on behalf of the University as a founding member of the International Arts Festival, a network of cooperation between universities and cultural institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine has been associated with the countries of the Three Seas Initiative since 2023.
In his speech, I. Gryshchenko informed the audience about how, with the outbreak of a full-scale war on February 24, 2022, the national education system, together with the entire Ukrainian people, is overcoming an unprecedented test of resilience, endurance and viability. He spoke about how the educational process at KNUTD adapted to the conditions of war, and what innovations students and teachers were encouraged to implement by new challenges under martial law and the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The rector also emphasised the need for international cooperation between cultural institutions, universities, museums, galleries, art schools and artistic associations from different EU countries to provide real support for Ukrainian universities of art and design, especially now when the Ukrainian education system, like all branches of the economy overcome the challenges and consequences of the full-scale invasion of russia into Ukraine.
13.04.2024
