Resilience in Crisis: Dr. Olha Mukha on Non-violent Resistance and Endurance at Gdańsk’s “Odporni na Kryzys” Experts Meeting

Dr. Olha Mukha, co-founder of the Institute of Resilience & Reconstruction, contributed as an invited expert at the public forum and workshop “ODPORNI NA KRYZYS. Czy jesteśmy gotowi na zagrożenia współczesnego świata?” at the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, Poland, on 15 November 2025.

Dr. Olha Mukha’s Presentation: “Resilience in Times of Turbulence: Non-violent Resistance and Practices of Endurance in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine”

Dr. Mukha’s intervention focused on the social strategies of resilience and non-violent resistance (NVR) within Ukrainian territories currently under occupation. Presenting in English, she shared insights from two core initiatives: the exhibition “Unseen Force,” which documents the hidden forms of solidarity in local communities, and the “Diaries from Occupation” project that compiles anonymous testimonies from everyday life under occupation.

Highlighting the role of grassroots civic movements—including Yellow Ribbon and Angry Mavka—she examined how symbolic acts, creative communication, and community-based resistance help maintain hope and agency despite repressive conditions. The analysis demonstrated how the interplay of cultural, educational, and civic activities sustains collective solidarity and fosters endurance, even amidst uncertainty and threat.

Collaborative Learning and Public Dialogue

The event, part of a wider programme on crisis readiness, included panel discussions and expert-led workshops focused on responses to contemporary risks such as war, disinformation, and civil preparedness. Dr. Mukha’s participation in the citizen panel deepened the conversation about how civilian institutions can enhance resilience at both community and systemic levels.

Further Information

Details of the event and the full programme can be found on the Museum of the Second World War website.muzeum1939​