President Zelenskyy gives a live video address to a full auditorium

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: A Live Video Address

The University of Toronto's Munk School hosts an interactive video address with the President of Ukraine

By Munk School staff

June 28, 2022

On June 22, 2022, university students from across Canada gathered for a rare opportunity to hear directly from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at an interactive event co-hosted by University of Toronto President Meric Gertler and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.

The hybrid virtual/in-person event featured opening remarks from President Gertler as well as Chrystia Freeland, Canada's deputy prime minister and finance minister, who said that Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine are delivering a lesson to the world about the importance of fighting for democracy. Peter Loewen, the Munk School's director, took the opportunity to announce the Munk School's partnership with the Kyiv School of Economics, which will help to bring up to 30 students to the Munk School beginning in September. President Zelenskyy then addressed the assembled in-person and virtual audiences, providing an update on the current conditions in Ukraine.

“Today we are fighting for the future of our children and grandchildren – for the possibility of building the new country,” he said, speaking through an interpreter, of Ukraine’s efforts to repel one of the world’s largest armies from its borders.

Watch full video on YouTube.

Image from the POV of an audience member watching the Zelenskyy live video address

Peter Loewen

Chrystia Freeland

Meric Gertler

President Zelenskyy

Audience perspective of the crowd watching Zelenskyy speak on screen

Q&A WITH CANADIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Following the President's address, Professor Loewen moderated an interactive Q&A where students from universities across the country asked their questions of President Zelenskyy directly.

From the University of Toronto, student Anya Broytman asked about President Zelenskyy's leadership role models, and Emma Patterson asked about EU membership and balancing Ukraine's safety and security while maintaining democracy. Kyiv-Mohyla Academy exchange student Kateryna Luchka asked about how the Ukrainian government can ensure that its best and brightest students return home to rebuild the country.

University of Calgary nursing student Faith Moghaddami asked about the power of social media and the internet in shaping perceptions of the war worldwide.

Quinn Rozwadowski of the University of Saskatchewan asked how we can convince our neighbours in North America that democracy is worth fighting for, even if it's on the other side of the globe.

Université de Montréal student Vincent Perras asked how to reform the international system to avoid conflicts like this one in the future.

The University of Alberta's River Hoffas asked what Canadian students can do to best support Ukraine now and in the future.

Adam MacKenzie from the University of Prince Edward Island asked President Zelenskyy why he decided to change careers and lead his country at such a pivotal time.

U of T student Emma Patterson

U of T student Anya Broytman

Kyiv-Mohyla Academy exchange student Kateryna Luchka asks a question at U of T

University of Calgary's Faith Moghaddami asks a question

University of Saskatchewan's Quinn Rozwadowski asks a question

Université de Montréal student Vincent Perras asks a question

University of Alberta's River Hoffas asked what Canadian students can do to best support Ukraine now and in the future

Adam MacKenzie from the University of Prince Edward Island asks a question

CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES

In total, eleven schools outside of U of T were represented on the call with President Zelenskyy, with many more universities watching the livestream. The universities that took part in the live event were: