Participants of the international “Crimea Global” conference visited Lviv

On 15 October, a delegation of experts from Africa, Asia and Latin America who had travelled to Ukraine to attend the international conference “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South” visited Lviv. During their visit, they paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian defenders, learned about the work of the UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Centre, met with city officials and explored Lviv’s historic centre.

Sophie Mugure Njehia, Saroj Pathirana, Jayani Abeysekara, Mohamed Lotfy

The visit began at the Field of Honorary Burials at Lychakiv Cemetery. The delegates paid their respects to Ukrainian service members who lost their lives defending Ukraine against Russian aggression and lit memorial candles at their graves.

At the memorial site, the visitors learned more about the personal stories of Ukrainian defenders and the losses Ukraine continues to suffer as a result of Russia’s armed aggression.

One of the international visitors, Soe Myint, a media entrepreneur and journalist from Myanmar, was particularly moved by the story of Ukrainian serviceman Ihor Shpek, who was killed defending Ukraine in July 2024. The journalist was especially struck by how close they were in age: “Standing by his grave, I thought of the countless Ukrainians and people from Myanmar who have given their lives defending freedom and dignity. I have deep respect for Ihor, his family and all those who have sacrificed their lives for Ukraine.” For him, this personal story highlighted the similarities between the struggles of the Ukrainian and Myanmar peoples for freedom, dignity and independence.

Soe Myint by the grave of serviceman Ihor Shpek

The delegation then visited the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Centre, the UNBROKEN Prosthetics and Orthotics Centre and social housing complex. The visitors learned how these facilities provide treatment and rehabilitation while helping people affected by the war adapt to everyday life.

At the rehabilitation centre, the visitors learned about approaches to restoring patients’ physical and mental health and the work of specialists who support wounded military personnel and civilians. Particular attention was paid to prosthetics and orthotics, as well as to helping those affected return to everyday life and creating conditions for their social integration.

The delegation also visited social housing designed to support people who need assistance during their recovery and adjustment to everyday life.

The delegation then met with Iryna Maruniak, Lviv’s Deputy Mayor for Accessibility, and Oleh Veklyn, Deputy Head of the Investment and Projects Department at Lviv City Council. The city officials presented Lviv’s investment projects and outlined measures to make urban spaces more accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

The discussion focused particularly on removing barriers and making urban infrastructure more accessible. According to the figures presented, approximately 220,000 of Lviv’s roughly one million residents belong to groups with reduced mobility, including older people, people with disabilities, pregnant women and children. The participants discussed the city’s experience in improving accessibility and implementing projects to enhance residents’ quality of life.

The delegation concluded their visit with a guided tour of central Lviv, learning about the city’s history and cultural heritage.

The international visitors were also interested in everyday life in Lviv during the full-scale war. They asked about government support for prosthetics and rehabilitation for those affected by the war, how the agricultural sector operates under wartime conditions, and how Ukrainians continue working and keeping their cities functioning despite the constant threat of Russian missile and drone attacks.

The visit to Lviv was part of the programme of activities organised alongside the international conference “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South”, which aims to deepen dialogue between Ukraine and countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, discuss the consequences of Russian aggression, including the occupation of Crimea, and strengthen international solidarity with Ukraine.

For more information about Crimea Global’s work in previous years and the latest updates, visit the official conference website: https://www.crimea-global.com/ 

Organisers: Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea / Office of the Crimea Platform, the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

Partners: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute, Transatlantic Dialogue Center.

The event was organised with the support of: International Renaissance Foundation, Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia with funding from Norway and Sweden, Hanns Seidel Foundation, Forum 2000 Foundation, and the Czech organisation People in Need as part of the SOS Ukraine initiative.