On Feb. 17, a meeting was held at the University of Rzeszów as part of the Mission of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The plenary session, during which UR students participated in a discussion on the situation in Ukraine, was one of the key points of the visit by UNOPS representatives in our region.

During the meeting, Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, presented the current situation in Ukraine and discussed the actions taken by UNOPS to support Ukrainians. Lardner emphasized the importance of cooperation with local communities and educational institutions in implementing development and humanitarian projects. He noted that the involvement of students and young professionals is crucial for the success of UNOPS initiatives in the region.

In addition to students, the meeting was attended by representatives of the city authorities of Rzeszów and the University of Rzeszów: President of Rzeszów Konrad Fijołek, Vice-Rector for Cooperation with the Social and Economic Environment - Professor Janusz Pasterski, former Rector of UR Professor Aleksander Bobko, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance - Associate Professor Bogdan Wierzbiński, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Associate - Professor Krzysztof Żarna, Director of the Institute of Political Science - Associate Professor Grzegorz Bonusiak, Associate Professor Krzysztof Bochenek – Rector's Plenipotentiary for Media and Public Relations, Kamil Czyż - Director of the Department of City Brand, Economic Cooperation and Tourism, Marzena Furtak Żebracka - Department of City Brand, Economic Cooperation and Tourism of the Rzeszów City Hall, Dr Małgorzata Kułakowska – Director of the Polish Center UR, Dr Agnieszka Buk - Rzeszów Integration Center, Honorary Consul of Germany in Rzeszów.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) plays a key role in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the armed conflict, working with the Ukrainian government, UN agencies, and international partners. UNOPS provides services in procurement, infrastructure, and project management, focusing on sectors such as energy, transport, housing, health, and education.

Photo by Michał Święcicki, University of Rzeszów