The Forum: Ukraine 2036 – Architects of the Future

What will Ukraine look like in 2036? This question invited participants to imagine, discuss, and design the future at the All-Ukrainian Youth Forum “Ukraine 2036: Architects of the Future,” held on 8 September in Rivne, Ukraine.

Organized by the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities, Rivne Municipality, and UNICEF, the Forum brought together more than 200 students from various backgrounds, representing 74 universities across Ukraine, to discuss how young Ukrainians can build their futures in Ukraine and contribute to the country’s recovery and development. Among the five practical sessions foreseen for the event, the UN4UkrainianCities’ workshop offered participants a hands-on opportunity to engage directly with an ongoing urban recovery project.

Read the Agenda

The opening ceremony provided an exchange of perspectives, bringing together representatives of regional and local authorities, national Ministries, Parliament, Military institutions, and international organizations. Their remarks recognized the ability of Ukraine’s younger generations to already actively shape their future today, despite the uncertainty and challenges the war brings.

“We cannot postpone our lives because of the war. That is why we are gathering here today with young people to have an open and honest dialogue. You are here to discuss how you would like to live in Ukraine today and in the future.”

— Igor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv

The Kharkiv Mayor, Igor Terekhov, stressed that life cannot be put on hold because of the war, encouraging young people to speak openly about their visions, desires, and priorities for their own future and the future of their communities;

The Acting Mayor of Rivne, Viktor Shakyrzian, applauded the energy and engagement of the young participants, inspiring the older generations to continue working;

A representative from the Embassy of Lithuania, Agnė Joana Skaistyte, highlighted the significance of seeing Ukrainian youth come together to discuss their future, especially after another night of heavy attacks in the region;

Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, underlined the importance of keeping education functioning as a foundation for Ukraine’s future. He also cautioned against romanticizing the idea of “resilience” while stressing the need to remain hopeful;

UNICEF, Ricardo Pires, emphasized that young Ukrainians are central to the country’s recovery, its future human capital, and the transformation of its cities, noting that young people are choosing to stay engaged rather than waiting for the war to end.

Panel I: “Ukraine of the Future: Youth, Economy and New Opportunities”

The first panel focused on one of the country’s most pressing questions: how to ensure that young Ukrainians can build their professional futures at home. Speakers stressed the importance of preserving human capital, attracting investment, and providing good-quality jobs and adequate support, all while ensuring a sense of security that makes staying in Ukraine a viable choice.

Moreover, speakers mentioned the need for a strong, adaptable education system that keeps pace with a rapidly changing labor market, including the rise of AI and new technologies. Overall, speakers often stressed the need for young people to develop transferable skills, remain flexible, and be prepared to adapt as labor market demands evolve.

The discussion also touched on the challenges students face when entering higher education, especially the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT), required for admission to bachelor’s programs and consisting of four subject tests completed in one day. It was noted by the speakers that 35% of high-school students fail the test. Students observed the increased difficulty of conducting such an exam, as testing takes place amid war-related challenges, including air alarms, energy outages and shortages, stress, sleepless nights, and physical, psychological, and emotional challenges. Therefore, students at the Forum called for reorganizing the test to better reflect the realities of their current situation: to make the examination more manageable, among the suggestions raised was to spread the NMT across separate days, rather than completing all four subjects' tests in a single day.

Panel II: “AI, Education and the Skills of the Future: From Knowledge to Professional Fulfillment”

The second roundtable examined how AI is transforming education, employment, and the skills required by young people in Ukraine. It highlighted that Ukraine is already developing a national AI ecosystem, with the Ministry of Digital Transformation coordinating AI-related initiatives and is preparing a national AI development strategy, including targets for investment and the number of specialists needed.

AI's role in education and the skills needed for future professional success were also explored, strongly emphasizing that AI should not replace human thinking: it can assist, but it will never take responsibility for its users' decisions. AI was ultimately described as a tool to improve efficiency, develop skills, and support learning.

Moreover, speakers highlighted the growing need for adaptable, qualified professionals, particularly as Ukraine’s economy shifts toward sectors such as renewable energy, IT, and military technologies. The role of the state, universities, and businesses in giving young people equal access to AI tools, training, and professional opportunities was also explored and requested by the students. Access to AI is not enough, young people also need strong foundational knowledge, critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to ask complex questions.

UN4UkrainianCities Workshop: “Planning Cities Together: Engaging Youth in the Recovery and Reconstruction of Ukrainian Cities - the Case of North Saltivka in Kharkiv”

Organized by the UN4UkrainianCities Initiative and the O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, the workshop introduced students to the United Nations’ role in supporting sustainable, inclusive, accessible, resilient and participatory urban recovery in Ukraine, using the UN4UkrainianCities Housing Pilot Project in North Saltivka as a practical case study. Participants engaged in a participatory group exercise, reviewing the site’s pre-design and exploring how it can better meet the needs of different user groups, enhance public and shared spaces, improve accessibility and safety, and generate positive social, economic, and environmental impacts for the wider neighborhood.

Each group presented its recommendations, explaining how these ideas could benefit both future residents and the wider community. Specifically, they proposed ways to better integrate the housing area with the surrounding park and public spaces, including promoting active mobility and providing adequate parking, and recommending additional facilities such as restaurants, outdoor cinemas, and commercial areas to support both everyday use and social activities. Some also suggested improving the shelter system by adding an above-ground shelter alongside the planned underground facility to increase residents' safety.

Ultimately, the session gave students a direct stake in how the principles of sustainability, inclusion, and community participation translate into practice, and a chance to see their proposals integrated into North Saltivka's recovery plans. It also reaffirmed the broader conviction that the young people who will live and work in, and shape Ukraine's cities over the coming decades have a vital role to play in recovery and reconstruction today.

An Open Conversation with Young People: "What Advice Would You Give Yourself at Age 20?" Q&A with the Speakers

The Forum concluded with an open-hearted dialogue between young people, the Mayors of Kharkiv and Rivne, a representative of Parliament, and the United Nations. The speakers reflected on what they wished they had known at the age of 20, sharing personal experiences and advice. They highlighted the importance of choosing carefully the friends and people who one walks alongside with, recognizing that not everyone one meets will be a true friend. They also encouraged young people not to fear making mistakes, but to learn from them and avoid repeating them. One may not always pursue a career directly related to one’s field of study; nevertheless, education fosters personal growth and strengthens one’s ability to adapt to the challenges of adult life. The conversation offered a sincere reminder that no one is expected to be perfect and that personal and professional growth develops through experience, reflection, and the lessons learned along the way.

During the final discussion, students shared their impressions, presented the outcomes of the practical workshops, reflected on what they had learned, and asked questions directly to decision-makers. One particularly important and thought-provoking question was: “What can young people gain from experiencing the war?” This prompted reflections on resilience, solidarity, responsibility, as well as on how this generation can transform an extraordinarily difficult experience into strength, purpose and a shared commitment to building a more peaceful and hopeful future for Ukraine.