UzhNU at the “Baza 2025” Festival: On Unity in Diversity and Opportunities for International Exchange
On July 5, the team from the Uzhhorod National University Center for Innovation and Development took part in the youth festival “Baza,” which annually gathers proactive youth, civic organizations, educational institutions, and representatives of international programs from across Ukraine. This year, the university’s International Relations Office also joined the event alongside the Center.
This marked the third time the Center participated in the festival. This year, they conducted a game called “Unity in Diversity,” a simulation-based role-playing activity designed to address complex social issues by immersing participants in various societal roles. The game is based on real stories of people the team has worked with through educational programs and civic initiatives.
“It’s a great opportunity for participants to discuss social roles, learn how to defend their own views, and develop empathy towards others,” said Alyona Almashii, Director of the Center.
“All the roles in the game are real. We either know these people personally or through their stories. This helps participants understand that diversity is a true value, not a threat,” added Maryna Stashyna-Neimet, a leading specialist at the Center.
The game has already been implemented within the university environment and has sparked strong interest among students. There are plans to further develop the project, including expanding the range of roles to reflect the evolving societal context.
The Center for Innovation and Development has operated at UzhNU since 2014. Its team introduces social innovations, explores the challenges modern youth face, and helps create supportive spaces within the university community. The Center focuses on themes such as openness, equality, mental health, gender justice, and combating discrimination.
Right next to the Center’s booth, the International Relations Office team presented opportunities for international academic mobility, especially within the Erasmus+ program.
“It was an incredible experience. People were genuinely interested in what Erasmus+ has to offer. We had many conversations, exchanged stories, and answered lots of questions. Five hours flew by,” shared Oksana Kanyuka, a Master’s student at the Faculty of Foreign Philology and a specialist at the International Relations Office.
Her colleague, Oleksandra Huzynets, a graduate of the Faculty of Biology, added:
“We were impressed by how active and curious the young people were. We even prepared small gifts for those who asked interesting questions, which created a very warm atmosphere.”
UzhNU has participated in the Erasmus+ program since 2015. Each year, dozens of students and faculty members study and teach at partner universities across Europe. The program opens new horizons, provides valuable international experience, and broadens global perspectives.
Once again, the Baza Festival demonstrated that young people are eager to be involved, understand the world, and contribute to change. UzhNU is a place where such initiatives are not only supported, they flourish. For those soon choosing their university path, this serves as another strong reason to join the UzhNU community, where education is more than just learning—it's about finding your place in a changing world.
Anastasiya Lendel,
Information-publishing centre
