Ideas Days in Poltava: the influence of media on consciousness and finding sources of internal resilience

We continue this year’s Ideas Days. The second event, jointly organized by Aspen Institute Kyiv with Impact Hub Odesa and its co-founder Yehor Hrebennikov, was held in Poltava.

The event brought together more than 70 leaders and representatives from various sectors — government administration, local self-government, business, the civil sector, the military, and more. The event became a platform where they could express and hear familiar, and sometimes differing, positions and opinions, finding points for joint action and community development.

The discussions focused on two topics: the influence of media on consciousness and finding sources of internal resilience.

The widespread use of social media and messenger channels by Ukrainians makes them the most effective tools for communication. It opens up a broad field for societal influence, especially during wartime. Participants discussed the differences between traditional media and influencers, analyzing the tools they use. An example was the information wave caused by Russia’s terrorist attack on Ohmatdyt. Speakers examined the formation of narratives that, under the slogan “Let’s stop this war,” hinder the realization of Ukraine’s national interests. Participants also discussed how media and individual citizens can counter informational and psychological operations and support resilience.

In the second panel discussion, participants shared their experiences and thoughts on sources of inner energy for life and struggle. The discussion also covered how the spiritual resilience of individuals can help strengthen communities and societies. For example, unity was one of the factors of the successful resistance of Ukrainian society at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Speakers emphasized the importance of preserving humanitarian values, readiness to learn to live in new conditions, and developing the state system of social and psychological support services. Participants emphasized the interaction between civilians, the military, and their families.

We thank everyone who supported the event: Artur Kobzar (“Sofiia-Agro”), the Poltava Regional State Administration and its head Filip Pronin, the Poltava City Council and its head Kateryna Yamshchykova, Oleksiy Movchan, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine, Oksana Demkova (“Detox Center”), Dmytro Tarasov (LLC “Smarahd”), Yevhen Kharchenko (“V MYASO”), Oleksandr Lemeshko, First Deputy Head of the Poltava Regional Council, Oleksiy Serdyukov (“Zmist”).

We are grateful to the media partners for Ideas Days — 2024: Espresso, Suspilne and Rubryka.