On September 24, 2024 graduates of the Department of Information and Computer Technologies, Faculty of Mechatronics and Computer Technologies, Kyiv National University of Technology and Design led by the head of the department Vladyslava SKIDAN and associate professor Antonina VOLIVACH, took part in the event of the presentation of the unique edition «The Female Face of Ukrainian Diplomacy: Essays, Memories, Interviews».

The presentation was held at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine named after Hennadiy Udovenko under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Scientific society of the history of diplomacy and international relations with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the support of the Hans Seidel Foundation since 2019 and with the support of the FRIENDSHIP OF UKRAINIAN DIPLOMATS association. The author, coordinator of the project, compiler of the publication is Doctor of Science in Science, professor, Chairman of the Board of the Scientific Society of the History of Diplomacy and International Relations Iryna MATYASH.

The publication is devoted to the role of women in the development of Ukrainian diplomacy from the time of the formation of the Ukrainian diplomatic service to the present day. Heroines were both historical figures and project participants – career diplomats, diplomats wives, figures in the field of public diplomacy.

The book is an extremely important literary source, because it highlights for the first time not only historical female figures in Ukrainian diplomacy from 1917-1921, but also the role and participation of female diplomats and wives of Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in strengthening Ukraines position in the international arena, promoting interests and seeking state support in connection with the large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine from February 24, 2022. According to the co-founder of the «Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats» association, Ms. Tetyana SYBIGA: «The main idea was to collect the best experience of confrontation and active involvement of spouses in effective humanitarian, educational, cultural projects in order to motivate our diplomatic community to proactive activity, effective involvement, rapid response. »

Colossal professional experience, female leadership, features of the career path, uniqueness of advice, personal qualities and necessary skills, the way to overcome gender stereotypes of the heroines of the book are an example for everyone who is interested in the field of diplomacy, politics, and international relations.

During the presentation of the book moderated by the Honorable Ms. Tetyana SYBIGA –

co-founder of the «Platforms of Ukrainian Diplomats» association, the following spoke with a welcome speech:

Hennadiy NADOLENKO – Director of the Diplomatic Academy named after Hennadiy Udovenka at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary;

Oleg VATAMANYUK – project coordinator of the Hans Seidel Foundation in Ukraine;

Iryna MATYASH – Chairman of the Board of the Scientific Society of the History of Diplomacy and International Relations, Doctor of Science, Professor, Curator of the «Female Face of Ukrainian Diplomacy» project.

Among the speakers of the event:

Natalia ZARUDNA – Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2002-2003), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark (2004-2008), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Germany (2008-2011);

Olena YALOVA – Director of the State Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Candidate of Political Sciences;

Lyudmila NEDILSKA – candidate of political sciences, translator, diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, consul, acting Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto (2014-2016), associate professor of the department of information and socio-cultural activities of the Western Ukrainian National University, wife of the Consul General of Ukraine in Istanbul;

Maryna HRYMYCH – doctor of historical sciences, candidate of philological sciences, professor, writer, manager of cultural projects, wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Lebanon (2016-2022) and Canada;

Olena KULYNYCH – public figure, writer, wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan (2006-2013) and the Philippines (2007-2013) part-time, in Australia (2015-2021), rector of the Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2003-2007; 2013-2015);

Svitlana MELNYK – candidate of legal sciences, wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Germany (2015-2022) and Brazil (from 2023),

Oksana VRUBLEVSKA is the wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Kazakhstan (2020-2022) and other Ukrainian women diplomats and wives of Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

We express our sincere gratitude to the organizers and participants for the opportunity to take part in the presentation of the unique publication "The Female Face of Ukrainian Diplomacy". This event became an important stage in spreading knowledge about the role of women in the field of diplomacy and their contribution to the formation of Ukraine's foreign policy. We received invaluable experience, inspiration and are looking forward to the next edition of the book for a more detailed review of the presented book.

27.09.2024