Volodymyr SADIVNYCHYI, the Head of the Department of Journalism and Philology, of FPSC, Sumy State University, and Master’s student Anna NAUMENKO worked at the conference “On the watch of social changes: challenges of the media sphere-2024”, organized by the School of Journalism and Communications of the Ukrainian Catholic University.

In particular, they spoke at the second panel of the conference – “The principle of positive sum: partnership in modern media education”. Its participants were: Victoria Babenko, associate professor of the Ukrainian Catholic University; Maria Butyrina, professor at Dnipro Polytechnic University; Volodymyr Sadivnychiy, professor of Sumy State University; Kateryna Bortniak, student of the Ukrainian Catholic University; Anna Naumenko, student of Sumy State University; Valeriya Shalyakhina, student of Dnipro Polytechnic University. The event was moderated by Emilia Ogar, a professor at the School of Journalism and Communications of UCU.

Starting the conference, the Director of the School Fr. Andriу Shestak noted: “We met at the same time, in the same space and in the same city. And I would like us not only to wish for greatness, following the instructions of Patriarch Yosif, but also to create it”.

In total, 4 panels worked. In addition to the one where representatives of our department acted as actors, these are: panel No. 1 – “Journalistic investigation during the war”, panel No. 3 – “Artificial intelligence: help or harm to the media sphere”, panel No. 4 – “Government communications: how to be on guardians of social change”.

On panel No. 2, they talked about cooperation in tandems teacher-student, student-student, teacher-teacher, as well as intercultural experience and international cooperation, about the implementation of various media projects, shared approaches and experiences.

Recalling her participation in the event, Anna Naumenko emphasized: “The most valuable experience for me was getting to know a professional cohort of Ukrainian journalists. It is very important to unite colleagues in common fields: practitioners, experts, teachers and students. I am glad that UKU gave me the opportunity to improve and gain experience even during the war. And, of course, opportunities for discussion cannot be excluded: such platforms are absolutely necessary for the formation of an information space that will meet public needs and will not be cluttered with fakes and propaganda. Such meetings with the participation of young journalists are an investment in the future of Ukrainian “media”.

In general, well-known investigative journalists, representatives of state institutions, mass media persons with extensive experience, and teachers spoke on various panels.

“The invitation of representatives of the Department of Journalism and Philology of FPSC of Sumy State University to present their vision in the training of mass media professionals during the conference ‘On the watch of social changes: challenges of the media sphere-2024’ at the Ukrainian Catholic University is an eloquent confirmation of the simple fact that our achievements are significant in journalistic education of Ukraine. We learned a lot of interesting and valuable things from others, we shared our non-trivial practices”, stressed Volodymyr Sadivnychiy.

#media_space_leads_to_the_universe, and along the way we gather experience and generously share our own.