Plonsk became the site of a major international educational project aimed at preparing specialists to help children affected by the war. A group of several dozen psychology students and university staff from Kharkiv, Poltava, Zhytomyr, and Dnipro arrived in the city.
On Thursday, July 16, the project participants they met with the mayor of Płońsk Andrzej Pietrasik. Representatives of the “Idziemy na spacer” Association, City Hall staff, and others involved in organizing the event also participated in the discussions. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, and the role of local governments in implementing social and educational initiatives.
The young psychologists’ stay in Poland is part of an international training program in which participants gain specialized knowledge under the guidance of scientists from Virginia Tech University in the United States. The program focuses on methods of providing psychological support to children who have experienced war, the loss of loved ones, and other traumatic events. Particular attention is paid to working with children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and developing effective methods of emotional support.
The project is fully financed by the Foundation Siepomaga, while Płońsk serves as a partner, providing space for classes and supporting the event. As the organizers emphasize, international cooperation allows not only for the development of future psychologists’ competencies but also for building lasting relationships between the academic and local government communities in Poland and Ukraine.
Following the official portion of the meeting, the mayor gave guests a guided tour of the city, showcasing its history, monuments, and modern public spaces. This provided an opportunity to learn more about Płońsk and engage in conversation in a less formal setting.
This initiative demonstrates that support for Ukraine can take many forms – not only material, but also educational and psychological. Training specialists who will help the youngest war victims return to normal lives is an investment in rebuilding society and the mental health of future generations.
Source: Płońsk City Hall / Andrzej Pietrasik
Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Nowiny Wschodnie, a news platform followed by more than 140,000 people on social media. A graduate in Journalism and Social Communication, he has been co-creating and developing Nowiny Wschodnie since 2017. He gained professional experience working with local and international media.
He specializes in fact-checking, countering disinformation and propaganda, and information security. His work focuses on Poland, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and Polish-Ukrainian relations. He is also the founder of a non-profit organization working in the fields of integration and intercultural dialogue.
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