During an event at the Munich Security Conference, the Chief Executive of the British Council, Scott McDonald, the Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut, Johannes Ebert, together with Olesia Ostrovska-Liutu, Director General of the National Museum of Art and Culture "Mystetskyi Arsenal", discussed the importance of culture in Ukrainian civil society and the reconstruction of Ukraine after the Russian invasion.
Titled "A War on Identity: How to Build Post-war Society in Ukraine" and chaired by British politician and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, the panel discussion was a rare exploration of the cultural dimensions of the ongoing conflict.
It marked the first appearance of the Goethe-Institut and the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. As leading cultural institutes, the British Council and the Goethe-Institut are committed to artistic and press freedom, open societies, and practising democratic values worldwide. Both organisations have been actively involved in Ukraine for over 30 years, responding to the growing local demand for cultural activities, networking, dialogue, language courses, and further education.
The Munich Security Conference, established in 1963, serves as a pivotal global forum where politicians, security experts, and thought leaders gather to address pressing international security challenges. This esteemed annual conference is crucial in fostering dialogue and collaboration and formulating strategies to promote global peace and stability. The inclusion of a cultural panel in this prestigious event underscores the recognition of soft power in conflict resolution and emphasises the role of culture in shaping resilient societies.
The panel discussion centred on strengthening Ukrainian civil society in the ongoing war against Russia. The conversation extended to the reconstruction phase after the war, emphasising the underestimated role of soft power in security and defence policy.
As the Munich Security Conference addresses critical global issues, this cultural panel signifies a crucial shift towards recognising the soft power dimensions in conflict resolution. The British Council and the Goethe-Institut remain committed to shaping a future for Ukraine that is not only secure but culturally vibrant.
Scott McDonald, CEO of the British Council, emphasised, "Culture is vital in terms of communicating across language and boundaries. It is also vital to the pride of a nation and its future. The Munich Security Conference offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of culture in asserting Ukraine’s identity and resilience through the war, and its recovery, reconstruction, and future development."
Johannes Ebert, Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut, stressed the significance of culture and education in overcoming challenges: "In a conflict in which both the territory and the identity of the Ukrainian people are at stake, the so-called soft power for the stabilisation of a democratic society and the perception of Ukraine as an independent subject must by no means be underestimated."
Olesia Ostrovska-Liutu, General Director of the Mystezky Arsenal, highlighted the role of culture in understanding society: "Culture is the area in which a society shapes its self-image and projects its future. And in this sense, it is crucial for the continued existence of that society."
About the Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is the global cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. With 158 institutes in 98 countries, it promotes knowledge of the German language, fosters international cultural cooperation, and conveys an up-to-date image of Germany. Through cooperation with partner institutions in numerous other locations, the Goethe-Institut has around 1,000 contact points worldwide.
www.goethe.de