Please Note: This verison has been edited to remove the space where we experienced technical difficulties and lost the audio. We apologize for the inconvience. If you would like to watch the unedited version, you can do so at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kCB4fH-cRo

Additional Resources as mentioned by Dr. Pamela Jordan

 Serhii Plokhy, The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History

  Maria Popova and Oxana Shevel, Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States

Over the past two plus years, Russia has continued its efforts to control, degrade, and destroy parts or all of Ukraine through military means. Despite the ongoing efforts of the Ukrainian military and its global backers, Russia has repelled much of the counteroffensive designed to build on gains made in 2022. This has occurred against a backdrop of wavering support from key countries, such as the United States, and led to the Ukrainian military needing to ration ammunition and missile defense systems. Scenes of devastation of civilian lives, infrastructure, and futures continue to feature in daily updates on the war's progress. 

Join the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University in hosting a community conversation to provide insights into the war in Ukraine, its impact on everyday citizens, its connections to New Hampshire, and the broader geopolitical implications. An amazing panel has been built to provide firsthand insights into this war. 

Our panelists include Svitla Volka, a Ukrainian artist and activist; Brian Nolen, Founder of NH4Ukraine, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization; and Dr. Pamela Jordan, associate professor of politics and global affairs at Southern New Hampshire University. Each panelist brings a unique viewpoint and will share their firsthand experiences, geopolitical insights, and academic perspectives on the unfolding events. This event provides an opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of Ukraine's current situation and its wide-ranging effects on a global scale.

As the United States Congress continues to debate additional aid to Ukraine, it is important for members of the United States to fully understand the realities of this war, so they can make their own decisions on whether additional support to Ukraine is in the country's interest.

About the Panelists

Born in Kherson, Ukraine, in 1991, Svitlana Volkova is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey is deeply rooted in an academic approach. Having graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2017 with a degree in Folklore Studies, Ukrainian Language, and Literature, her understanding of cultural dynamics and societal narratives continues to shape her work. Additionally, during her school years, Svitla received education in tailoring. In 2023, she completed a short educational course at Polimoda University in Italy.

In 2019, Svitla founded a brand of agender transformable clothing, Svitla Volka Design. Unfortunately, the Russian invasion forced her to leave her home and temporarily halt her business. Engaging in social and cultural movements since 2009, her passion for changemaking has evolved into a dedicated pursuit of artistic expression. Creating a series of digital collages titled _Sensitive content covers me_ in response to Instagram's content obscuring policies related to Ukraine, she explored 3D tools and designed a collection dedicated to the defenders of Azovstal, partially presented at Digital Fashion Week NY 2023.

Believing in the transformative power of fashion, Svitla sees it as a medium capable of conveying ideas and influencing mindsets. Amidst the age of digitalization, where clothing transcends utilitarian functions, she explores the intersection of fashion and digital art.

At the core of Svitla's artistic endeavors lies a commitment to purpose. Her interests span various themes, merging mythological thinking with a scientific approach. Unafraid of deep research, she embraces the journey of understanding the world and fostering meaningful connections within society.

Brian Nolen is the founder of NH4Ukraine.org, a Bedford-based all-volunteer nonprofit started shortly after Russia’s unprovoked invasion. NH4Ukraine uses donor funds to provide humanitarian aid to people in the hardest-hit areas of Ukraine. At their own personal expense, they’ve made (6) one-month trips to Ukraine, and are gearing up for a longer 6 month trip starting in April. All donor funds are spent inside Ukraine to purchase wholesale aid (food, hygiene, etc.), which they then personally deliver to the towns and villages directly impacted by the fighting in the eastern part of the country. For more info and to see photos and videos showing the impact they’ve had on the ground there, visit www.NH4Ukraine.org

Pamela A. Jordan, Ph.D., is associate professor of politics and global affairs at Southern New Hampshire University. She is the author of two books—Defending Rights in Russia: Lawyers, the State, and Legal Reform in the Post-Soviet Era (2005) and Stalin’s Singing Spy: The Life and Exile of Nadezhda Plevitskaya (2016)—and articles in several scholarly journals. Her teaching expertise encompasses the theme of international peace and conflict in the modern age, including seminars on the United Nations and global governance and genocide and international justice

SNHU Chandler Center for Community & Civic Engagement

SNHU Office of Papoutsy Chair in Ethics

SNHU Office of Diversity Programs

SNHU Deborah L. Coffin Women's Center

SNHU Office of International Student Services

SNHU Honors Program