Zaporizhzhia launches “School of the Citizen” to inspire active youth engagement

Mariia Kuznietsova, Deputy Director for International Cooperation Development at the City Development Institute of Zaporizhzhia, joined a panel discussion held as part of the presentation of the educational project “School of the Citizen.”

School of the Citizen is a series of thematic educational classes for 7th- and 8th-grade students designed to help them see Zaporizhzhia as a living, evolving city — one shaped by its history, culture, people, and the ideas that define its present.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the city authorities, the Department of Education and Science, and members of the City Council — all those who support the development of modern and meaningful education in Zaporizhzhia.

A central element of the event was the inspiring panel discussion “Zaporizhzhia — a Living City for Life,” in which Mariia Kuznietsova took part. The panel participants explored what it means to be an engaged citizen, how to foster love for one’s city, how to encourage young people to move from passive observers to active contributors to community change, and how culture, history, and personal example shape local identity.

Summarizing the discussion, Mariia Kuznietsova emphasized the importance of cultivating in young people the values of active citizenship, mutual respect, and shared responsibility for the city’s development:

“For me, being a citizen is, first and foremost, a conscious choice and a daily responsibility. Only together — understanding our own role and influence — can we shape what Zaporizhzhia will be like in ten years.”