In Odesa, the regional forum “INFLUENCE” took place. The Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance co-organized the event together with the Odesa Prayer Breakfast Movement and the deputy group of the Odesa Regional Council “For Spirituality, Morality, and Health of Odesa.”
The program opened with a joint prayer, followed by speeches from invited speakers dedicated to citizens’ responsibility for the development of the state and social processes. A panel discussion provided an opportunity to discuss current societal challenges and cooperation between religious, civic, and governmental institutions.
“The main idea of the forum is simple and powerful: to overcome darkness, we need to turn on the light. As the influence of people of Light grows in society, darkness diminishes. At the same time, it is important to take responsibility for the moral state of society and the state itself, because we are an integral part of it,” said Veniamin Unguryan, board member of the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance and deputy of the Odesa Regional Council.
The forum brought together representatives from various sectors: religious organizations, volunteer initiatives, social services, and local authorities. The event created a platform for exchanging experiences, developing cross-sector cooperation, and generating practical solutions for communities.
“A special guest was Yuriy Sipko — a dissident recognized as a foreign agent by the Kremlin regime. His example of principled stance and resistance to a criminal system inspires us to remain faithful to the truth, even when it comes at a high cost,” added Veniamin.
The Alliance for Ukraine’s Recovery will continue to support similar initiatives, promoting the development of local communities and strengthening societal institutions.
