THE 2ND FR–UKR FORUM 2025 IS OVER!
The 2nd Franco-Ukrainian Forum on Innovation, Education, and Reconstruction was held on July 4–5, 2025, in Metz.
We warmly thank all participants, speakers, volunteers, and partners for their commitment, presence, and energy!
A full report with the outcomes, presented projects, and forum highlights will be published soon.
In the meantime, we invite you to relive the best moments through our photo selection — feel free to share them widely!
DAY 1: ACADEMIC COOPERATION04/07/2025
DAY 2: DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION AND RECONSTRUCTION05/07/2025
GLOBAL UKRAINE: A NEW SPACE FOR LEADERSHIP IN METZ
The City of Metz has been at the heart of Franco-Ukrainian relations for over 25 years, successfully transforming the university partnership between Metz and Tchernivtsi into a strong institutional twinning between the two cities.
This Franco-Ukrainian platform, supported by a solid network of alumni of the bilateral program, has today become a highly dynamic cross-border space, with more than 500 students and professionals trained and several dozen collaborative projects implemented since 1999.
THE II FRANCO-UKRAINIAN FORUM
Aims to bring together in Metz representatives of local authorities and high-level diplomatic leaders, higher education and research officials, institutional investors, innovation stakeholders, and civic networks to build new strategic alliances and coalitions in support of Ukraine’s reconstruction and its lasting integration into Europe.
Our Franco-Ukrainian Forum on Innovation, Education, and Reconstruction serves as a unique platform to align the efforts of France, Ukraine, and Europe around a new shared vision for European renewal.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Learn from Experts
Meet high-level speakers from the diplomatic, academic, and business worlds, all committed to reconstruction and innovation.
Build Lasting Connections
Join a dynamic network of leaders, alumni, institutions, businesses, and diasporas working together for a more resilient Europe.
Support Innovation for Ukraine
Discover concrete projects, public-private partnerships, and technological solutions dedicated to sustainable reconstruction.
PROGRAM
Day 1Diplomacy, Youth and Academic Cooperation
Location: IAE Metz School of Management, 1 Rue Augustin Fresnel, 57070 Metz
1:30 PM – Welcome of participants
2:00 PM – Welcome address | Round table: The impact of the war in Ukraine on Franco-Ukrainian relations: youth, diplomacy, and the role of Europe. Review and outlook on 25 years of Franco-Ukrainian academic collaboration initiated in Metz and supported by the University of Lorraine
• Prof. Julien HUSSON, Director, IAE Metz School of Management, University of Lorraine• Dr. Violeta MOSKALU, Academic Director, Franco-Ukrainian Program, IAE Metz School of Management, University of Lorraine• Dr. Elisabeth DESCHANET, Director of the Lorraine Management Innovation Collegium (LMI), University of Lorraine
2:15–3:00 PM – Round Table 1: Review
• Prof. Cécile NOUVEL, Vice President for International Strategy, University of Lorraine• Bohdan VASNEVSKYI, Political Advisor, Embassy of Ukraine in France• Franck PICHOFF, Communications Manager, ArcelorMittal Sheet Piling (Luxembourg)• Dr. Natalya YAKOVYSHENA, Ukraine Scientific Advisor, Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie
3:00–3:30 PM – Round Table 2: Outlook
• Prof. Germano MONTEMEZZANI, LMOPS Laboratory, University of Lorraine and Centrale Supelec• Prof. Yuriy KHALAVKA, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University• Prof. Nataliia KUZNIETSOVA, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute• Roman PETIUR, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv• Maxime DESCHANET, Academic Registrar, IAE Metz School of Management
Moderation:• Dr. Violeta MOSKALU, Academic Director, Franco-Ukrainian Program, IAE Metz School of Management, University of Lorraine• Nathalie FICK, Director of International and European Relations, University of Lorraine
3:30 PM – Official Opening Ceremony
• François GROSDIDIER, Mayor of Metz and President of Metz Eurometropolis• Benjamin HADDAD, Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of European Affairs
Presentation of the Franco-Ukrainian Golden Book of the City of Metz (students & FR-UKR Alumni)
4:00 PM – Interactive discussions with students of the FR-UKR Diploma: Q&A on European issues and Franco-Ukrainian cooperation
4:15 PM – FR-UKR DU in Action: Alumni of the Franco-Ukrainian Program Share Their Journey
4:50 PM – Official Photo
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM | FR-UKR Friendship Party – Launch of the 2025 edition of the Franco-Ukrainian Summer University in Metz, in the presence of delegations and partners of the Franco-Ukrainian Program.
Cultural program: Ukrainian music and dance
Day 2Institutional Cooperation, Diasporic Networks, Economic Renewal
Location: Grand Salon, Hôtel de Ville, Metz
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Reception and registration
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening Ceremony
● Anne DAUSSAN-WEIZMAN, Deputy Mayor of Metz, Cross-border cooperation and European partnerships, international relations● Bohdan VASNEVSKYI, Conseiller politique, Ambassade d'Ukraine en France ● Dr Violeta MOSKALU, Academic Director, Franco-Ukrainian Programme, University of Lorraine
Moderation of the day: ● Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director of the ESSEC Institute of Geopolitics & Business● Dr Violeta MOSKALU, Academic Director, Franco-Ukrainian Programme, University of Lorraine
09:45 AM– 11:15 AM | Roundtable 1 – Innovation and Investment in the Real Economy: Infrastructure, Industries and Territories
● Jean-Paul MARCZAK, Managing Director, Airbus Ukraine LLC● Marc ZERLAUTH, Sales Manager Eurasia / Near-East, Saint-Gobain PAM Canalisation● Pierre-Etienne CHAUSSE, Secretary General, Federation of Public Works of Lorraine● Diana SIDKO, Founder of CODIA - International Partnership Advisory, Board Member, French Tech Kyiv● Anastasiia KOBASKY, Alumni of the Franco-Ukrainian Program "Management and International Trade", class of 2022-2023
11:15 AM – 12:00 AM | Flash mob (Place d'Armes - J. F. Blondel)
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Round Table 2 - A technological and secure future: civil and defence innovations for a European renewal
● Jean-Philippe JEHL, University Lecturer in Materials Science, IUT Nancy Brabois & Institut Jean Lamour, University of Lorraine, co-leader of the “Prostheses for Ukraine” project● Pascal HUBER, Mayor of Chesny, Delegate Councillor Eurometropolis of Metz - Decentralized cooperation, relationship with the military authorities and the patriotic world.● Mykhaylo KUKONIN, CEO, Switchado● Arnaud LUMET, Ambassador TechUkraine, Expert, Ukrainian Startup Fund
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Roundtable 3 – Global Ukraine: The Power of the Diaspora
● Sergiu CIOCLEA, Former Governor of the Central Bank of Moldova● Nataliia HONCHARIK, Business Development Manager, Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce ( LUCC)● Mykyta KHODAKIVSKYI, Co-Founder, Israeli Friends of Ukraine, Israeli-Ukrainian Alliance (Tel Aviv, Israel)● Stéphane LÉA, Consultant in territorial governance, Founder of SOLEOS● Dr. Violeta MOSKALU, Founding President of the Global Ukraine Foundation and the NGO Echanges Lorraine-Ukraine
4:45 PM –5:00 PM Closing remarks: Dr. Violeta MOSKALU, Academic Director, Franco-Ukrainian Program, University of Lorraine
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Cultural program: Ukrainian fashion, music and dances
OUR PARTNERS
The Franco-Ukrainian Forum is organized in partnership with the institutional and strategic partners of the Franco-Ukrainian program at the University of Lorraine.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Dr Violeta MOSKALU
Academic Director, Franco-Ukrainian Program
IAE Metz School of Management, University of Lorraine, France
Veronika TKACHUK
Forum Programme Lead Intern
IAE Metz School of Management, University of Lorraine, France
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Tetiana POHORENA
Coordinator, Franco-Ukrainian Program
Global UkraineAs. Echanges Lorraine Ukraine
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All rights Reserved - Global Ukraine 2025
All rights Reserved - Global Ukraine 2025