On November 14-15, 2023, the KNEU delegation consisting of Maria Markina (Senior Lecturer of the Department of Regional Studies and Tourism) and Vlada Mysyliuk (Head of the Department of Scientific Information, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Business Economics and Entrepreneurship) participated in the seminar "CIVICA Inclusion Workshop", which was organized as part of the SGH Project CIVICA Support for the European Future of Ukraine.

The CIVICA Inclusion Workshop included a Workshop on Social Aspects of Neurodiversity, which was conducted by Theo Smith (neurodiversity activist), Milena Milani (Bocconi Counseling Service) and Professor Nicoletta Balbo. The seminar was devoted to the issue of neurodiversity as a natural and valuable form of human diversity, that manifests in the human brain in regards to sociability, cognitive functions, and the ability to learn and to concentrate. Milena Milani informed participants of the seminar about the peculiarities of the learning process and educational needs of students with autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia (and other language based learning disorders), dyscalculia (inability to study arithmetic), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia and DCD, Tourette syndrome. The speaker emphasized the need to create a university environment that will promote well-being, mental health and the full realization of the potential of neurodivergent students. Theo Smith told the success stories of neurodivergent people who had achieved recognition in science, journalism, sports, etc. The speaker demonstrated that neurodivergent people have their strengths, which, when applying the right learning strategies, can be fully realized.

KNEU delegation attended an academic seminar on Biases in a Multicultural Environment within the framework of the Inclusion Week at Bocconi University. Ala’ Alrababah (Bocconi University) and Benoît Hamon (CEO of SINGA Global, former Member of the European Parliament) became speakers and Professor Catherine De Vries became the mentor of the seminar. The value of this seminar was that its participants were able to understand the nature and causes of prejudice in a multicultural environment and to familiarize with possible ways of reducing prejudice. The first speaker Benoît Hamon told about migration and related to it inclusion and multiculturality challenges. The second speaker Ala’ Alrababah acquainted participants of the seminar with the results of social science research on building tolerance. Ala’ Alrababah explained that reducing prejudice in a multicultural environment is possible, however, it is quite challenging.

A valuable experience was the participation of KNEU teachers in two experiential activities "Coffee in the dark" and Inclusion in Sports. The activity "Coffee in the dark" was organized in partnership with the Milan Institute for Blind People (Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano). Participants got the opportunity to explore a set environment in the total absence of light, where the act of taking a simple cup of coffee turned into an extraordinary experience. A guide who is visually impaired led the participants and helped them gain new experience.

Participants of CIVICA Inclusion Workshop were given the opportunity to practice Paralympic sports. It was revealed that inclusion in sports is a great way to improve yourself and overcome your own limitations. This event was organized in partnership with the Alessio Tavecchio Foundation.

Members of the KNEU delegation had the opportunity to communicate with colleagues from other universities and exchange experiences on the implementation of best practices in inclusion, neurodiversity and multiculturalism in their universities. At the end of the CIVICA Inclusion Workshop, Bocconi University employees gave a tour of the campus and the library, as well as lunch with Professor Paola Profeta, Dean of Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability.

The materials of the seminar "CIVICA Inclusion Workshop" can be found here.

More photos can be found here.