Zakarpattia Legal Readings conference 2025: Relocation under Extraordinary Legal Regimes

The Grassroots Institute expresses gratitude to Uzhhorod National University for inviting us to become part of the organization and participate in the XVII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Zakarpattia Legal Readings: Relocation under Extraordinary Legal Regimes”, which took place on April 25–26, 2025, in the city of Uzhhorod. The conference provided a space to address and discuss the current challenges of legal support for the relocation of businesses, populations, educational and scientific institutions in the post-war period.

The Zakarpattia Legal Readings Conference was organized by Uzhhorod National University in cooperation with a wide network of international and domestic partners, such as: Comenius University (Slovakia), the University of Graz (Austria), Western University of Arad “Vasile Goldiș” (Romania), Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), the Grassroots Institute (Canada), the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, and several Ukrainian NGOs. This range of cooperation highlighted the main message of the conference: relocation is not just a Ukrainian problem; it is a challenge that affects Europe and the world.

We are especially proud that Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend, President-Founder and CEO of The Grassroots Institute, Co-Chair of RISG-Central Asia and IYRP 2026 (Montreal, Canada), was included in the Scientific Council of the conference.

The program of the conference was rich and diverse, reflecting the broad scope of challenges posed by relocation under extraordinary legal regimes. It included a briefing for participants and media, where the goals and structure of the event were outlined, followed by two high-level panel discussions featuring leading experts from Ukraine and abroad. In addition, the academic component of the conference was further strengthened by four sectional sessions.

Opening remarks were delivered by:

• Ihor Korol, Vice-Rector of Uzhhorod National University, who emphasized the importance of supporting scientific initiatives even in times of crisis;
  Volodymyr Zhuravel, President of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, academician, Doctor of Law, Professor, who emphasized the role of legal science in strengthening the rule of law;
• Anatoliy Hetman, academician of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, Professor, Rector of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University;
• Roman Sarai, Head of the Zakarpattia Regional Council, who highlighted the efforts of the legal community in protecting the interests of the public and the state;
• Vasyl Ivancho, First Deputy Head of Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration, who focused on the key topic of the conference – relocation under martial law.

Vasyl Ivancho emphasized:

“Relocation is not just about moving enterprises or institutions. It is about national security, economic stability, and social protection. Zakarpattia has become a rear base that has welcomed hundreds of organizations, and our task is to create conditions not only for survival but also for development.”

Immediately after the welcoming session, the first panel discussion took place on the topic:
“General Issues of Theory and Practice of Relocation under Extraordinary Legal Regimes.” The moderator for the panel was Professor Yaroslav Lazur, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Uzhhorod National University.

The participants included:

• Vasyl Lemak – Judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, Professor;
• Serhiy Bielai – Doctor of Public Administration, Professor, representative of the National Guard of Ukraine;
• Taras Tryndyak – Director of the Department of Economic and Regional Development of Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration;
• Iryna Davydova – Doctor of Law, Professor at the National University “Odesa Law Academy”;
• Ivan Vashchinets – Candidate of Law, Associate Professor, Head of the Scientific and Consultative Center of Kyiv University of Law, NAS of Ukraine (Uzhhorod).

We were particularly honored by the participation of Olha Donets, Head of The Grassroots Institute (Ukraine), in the second panel discussion on the topic: “The Role of Relocation in Shaping the Potential for Post-War Recovery of Ukraine.”

The participants of the panel:

• Prof. Mykhailo Savchyn, Director of R&D, Institute of Comparative Public Law and International Law, UzhNU;
• Prof. Valeriy Shepitko, Doctor of Law, National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine;
  Olha Donets, Head of The Grassroots Institute (Ukraine);
• Myroslav Almashi, PhD in Law, Uzhhorod National University;
• Yuliia Yershova, young researcher, Uzhhorod National University.

The moderator of the discussion, Professor Tetiana Karabin, summarized:
“Relocation is not only about evacuation. It is about the transformation of the country.”

Key discussion points were:

• Prof. Mykhailo Savchyn stressed that relocation is reshaping Ukraine’s legal landscape, requiring constitutional, administrative, and property-law adaptation.
• Prof. Valeriy Shepitko emphasized the importance of rigorous academic research in supporting relocated entities.
• Olha Donets, Head of The Grassroots Institute in Ukraine, argued: “Reconstruction must be not only fast but sustainable, with careful attention to environmental risks.”
• Myroslav Almashi highlighted the unique legal challenges faced by relocated educational institutions.
• Yuliia Yershova presented the perspectives of young researchers, emphasizing new legal tools for relocation.

Beyond the panels, four sectional sessions were held, covering themes such as international legal regulation of relocation, constitutional and social aspects of mobility, business and environmental concerns, and the challenges faced by young researchers. These sessions highlighted that relocation intersects with every major branch of law and governance, from economics to environmental protection.

We believe that involving civil society institutions, the academic community, and local authorities in these discussions is essential for Ukraine’s effective and lasting recovery after the war. “Zakarpattia Legal Readings” is more than a conference – it is a space where ideas are born, solutions are formed, and the strength of law is affirmed even in the toughest times for the country.

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Contact: ukraine@grassrootsinstitute.net