S3 Episode 17 - European and Ukrainian civil society hand in hand against barbarism

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Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has been facing a Russian invasion. In addition to the military and financial aid arriving from all over the world, Civil society in Ukraine and across Europe is working hand in hand with each other to help populations in distress. In this episode of The Grassroots View, we have invited some of their representatives to tell us their stories.

Elena Calistru, member of the European Economic and Social Committee, explains how and why many Romanian citizens are helping fleeing Ukrainian refugees find shelter and food. She also talks about the role of the EESC, which, by using the power of its network, is managing to quickly set up mechanisms to help the weakest.
Marta Barandiy, founder of the NGO Promote Ukraine, based in Brussels and Kyiv, gives us a Ukrainian perspective on the situation. She tells us how her work changed when the war broke out, how the role of civil society is crucial, and how the Ukrainian people will never give up in the face of an invader.
Finally, Bartosz Wieliński, deputy editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, discusses the impact of the war in Poland and how the Polish people are adopting a new point of view on the phenomenon of refugees. For example, he explains how the school system is welcoming and helping young Ukrainians.