CMS Seminar: Civil Society’s role in the war in Ukraine
Over four years into Russia’s full‑scale invasion, Ukraine has gained vital experience that demonstrates the importance of a resilient civil society in wartime. Russia’s hybrid warfare, disruption of critical infrastructure, and spread of disinformation – combined with its military campaign – have placed unprecedented pressure on Ukraine’s civilian population. This raises questions about the work of emergency services, mobilization into the armed forces, crisis management, cooperation with the Ukrainian state and external actors, and much else. Given the ongoing war in Ukraine and the threats to Denmark and other European countries, it is important to understand and learn the right lessons from Ukraine’s knowledge and practical experience with resilience, preparedness, and the formation of a robust civil society.
On 8 April, the Centre for Military Studies will host a public seminar on the role of civil society in the Ukraine war. The seminar will explore developments from the Maidan Revolution through the onset of the full‑scale war in 2022 and up until now, highlighting how civilian actors have shaped and responded to these transformations. Notably, we will identify valuable examples and lessons learned from Ukrainian civil society that could inform Denmark’s approach to emergency preparedness, societal security, the protection of critical infrastructure, and other hybrid threats.
The panel consists of:
- Associate Professor and President of the American Association for Ukrainian Studies, Sophia Wilson (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)
- General Manager Andrii Kuzmyn (Bevar Ukraine)
- Postdoc Sofie Rose (Centre for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark)
- Head of Section Andreas Mejer Jensen (The Danish Emergency Management Agency)
- Ph.D. and Advisor Jon Kyst (EU Advisory Mission Ukraine)
The seminar will open with a welcome by the host (Centre for Military Studies), followed by an introduction and individual presentations by each panelist. We will then open the floor for audience questions in a Q&A session. The seminar concludes with final remarks.
The debate will be moderated by research assistant Christine Veedfald Boye Jensen (Centre for Military Studies, University of Copenhagen).
The language of the event is English.
Date: Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 15:00 - 16:30
Place: CSS (Centre for Health and Society), Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 Copenhagen K, Room 2.1.12
Invitation
