On November 20, 2025, a very warm and sincere meeting took place in the Art Space of the SEI USUCT – the workshop “Democracy and Leadership”, which united students around conversations about responsibility, mutual respect, and the ability to work together.

We were visited by two experienced and inspired speakers: Elina Kosolapova, head of the Dnipro Youth Center, and Yaroslava Yurchenko, a trainer in leadership and team interaction.

The guests did not talk “about” democratic values, they lived them together with the participants. Through their own stories, situations from work and life, through frank reflections about what works and what raises doubts, they showed that leadership is not about status, but about the attitude towards people.

During the meeting, students had the opportunity to discuss:

• how to be a leader alongside the team, not above it;
• why it is important to hear different points of view;
• how to create an environment where everyone feels their own significance;
• how to make decisions without fear and avoid responsibility.

The atmosphere was very trusting: a lot of lively communication, smiles, difficult but sincere questions. Everyone could speak out and receive support.

Students finished the workshop with a feeling of inner uplift. Many said that leadership for them from now on is about empathy, respect and willingness to act together, and not to be “first” at any cost.

Such meetings inspire and give strength. They help to realize that democratic values ​​​​start with simple, everyday things: the ability to listen, trust and support each other.