On August 20, Poltava State Agrarian University hosted the event "When You Can Spread Your Wings," dedicated to barrier-free communication and the creation of a more inclusive and united society.
Among the participants was Aliona Zhygura, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Aurora Multimarket, who joined the discussion and shared her perspective on inclusive practices in business.
The event was held as part of the flagship project "Barrier-Free Movement" by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, which operates under the "Without Barriers" initiative led by First Lady Olena Zelenska. The initiative was supported by the NGO Barrier-Free, the Center for Social Change and Behavioral Economics, UNICEF, and Visa.
The event was moderated by TV host Yehor Hordieiev, who emphasized the importance of effective and inclusive communication and presented a video lecture titled "When You Can Communicate Without Barriers."
The highlight of the meeting was the panel discussion "Words Have Wings: How to Communicate Without Barriers." Led by psychiatrist Heorhii Koshkin, the panel featured:
- Olha Bezpalko – Head of Diversity and Inclusion at PrivatBank
- Ivan Balatskyi – Veteran and Head of the Veterans Service Office in Kremenchuk
- Artem Pohorylyi – Veteran and Instructor at Poltava Youth Sports School #1
- Aliona Zhygura – Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Aurora Multimarket
- Anatolii Bezpaliuk – Head of Educational Programs at UNICEF’s Poltava Office
The speakers shared personal experiences and practical tools, emphasizing that each of us can contribute daily to fostering a culture of openness and mutual respect.
According to Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on Barrier-Free Issues, such regional meetings are of great importance: it is through open dialogue that a barrier-free culture is shaped — one that forms the foundation of a healthy and cohesive society.
