Head of the Department of International Economic Relations Petrushenko Yu.M. took part in the public discussion “Europe map of Ukraine -2. What place does Sumy take in the ranking of European integration of regions?”, organized by the New Europe Center on February 25, 2021. The event became the fourth regional presentation of the Center.
Some key points of the event:
The main message of European integration is to connect Ukraine with the EU. First, we are talking about increasing contacts between people, increasing exports of goods, investments, improving relations. We must physically and mentally link Ukraine together with the EU. It is very gratifying that Sumy region is participating in this process.
Local public organizations promote communication of European integration, actively involve residents of the region in issues regarding inclusiveness and gender equality. Promising areas for public organizations are ecology and communication of European integration.
There is a lack of dialogue between local authorities and community, which has a negative impact on the European integration process.
Poor transport links contribute to the feeling of the region isolation from the rest of the country. By the way, infrastructure has become the sector where Sumy region took the penultimate place in the ranking.
The region also succeeds in the development of the public sector, a number of strong united territorial communities, which are equal to others, as well as in the education sector, including the victory of Sumy State University in Erasmus + competitions in 2020.
According to an online inquiry conducted on the eve of the event, youth is the main promoter of European integration in the region. Thanks to educational opportunities, local young people can get acquainted with European values and quality of life, and are more Euro-optimistic.
The summary of the event can be found at the link