From May 8 to 10, 2026, the All-Ukrainian Forum of Student Self-Government Bodies “Leadership Blossoming” was held at Sumy National Agrarian University, which brought together active youth, representatives of student self-government and youth organizations from different parts of Ukraine.
The purpose of the event was to create a platform for open dialogue, exchange of experience, discussion of current challenges of youth policy and search for practical solutions for the development of student self-government in today’s conditions. The participants paid special attention to the role of youth in supporting communities, developing leadership qualities and forming an active civic position.
The forum began with the official opening with the participation of the Vice-Rector for Scientific, Pedagogical and Educational Work of SNAU Marharyta Lyshenko. For three days, the participants were treated to a rich program: panel discussions, workshops, interactive discussions and teamwork.
During the panel discussion “Challenges of Youth Policy in Frontline Regions”, participants discussed the specifics of working with youth in border regions, the importance of supporting youth initiatives and developing a safe educational space. The speakers of the event were the director of the Kharkiv Regional Youth Center, Daniel Makhmudov, and the youth advisor to the head of the Sumy Regional State Administration, Mariia Minchenko.
Special attention was paid to the activities of student self-government bodies in wartime. During the second panel discussion “Stability of the OSS: how to remain active in wartime”, participants had the opportunity to talk with the representative of the Ukrainian Association of Students, Hlib Raputa, member of the executive committee for regional development, Volodymyr Tovstyka, and head of the secretariat, Kateryna Borodavko.
Also, for the guests of the forum, a tour of the territory of SNAU and a familiarization tour of the city of Sumy were organized by the head of the Department of Tourism of the Faculty of Food Technologies Oleksandr Kovalenko, which gave the participants the opportunity to get to know the university, its infrastructure and the student environment better.
The forum ended with a ceremonial awarding of the participants and a joint photo session. Holding such events once again confirms that Sumy National Agrarian University is a modern space for the development of youth leadership, student initiatives and interregional cooperation.
