On August 28, the ‘Ukraine Tomorrow’ forum took place in Kyiv, organized by the Institute for Recovery of Ukraine. The event was inaugurated by the head of the President’s Office and featured numerous guests from the U.S., including members of Congress and senators, as well as representatives from international institutions and businesses.
The first point addressed was the country’s economic model. The key takeaway was that Ukraine’s pre-war competitive advantages, such as inexpensive labor, energy, land, and logistics, are permanently lost. The economy must transition from mere adaptation to reindustrialization, while maintaining principles of a free market, deregulation, and predictable tax policies.
The second point focused on human capital and demographics. Discussions revolved around the scale of population loss and the conditions necessary to encourage Ukrainians to return and halt the outflow. Key factors include safety, housing, employment, education, and basic life infrastructure.
Svetlana Fabrykant, co-founder of the Institute for Recovery of Ukraine, emphasized that the primary motivation behind all discussions concerning the nation’s future is the well-being of children: “Our main driving force is our children. Everything we do today is for them and their future in Ukraine.”
The third point was about the global Ukrainian diaspora. The panel concluded that efforts should not focus on forcibly returning individuals but rather on creating a network that enables Ukrainians worldwide to remain engaged in the country’s development, particularly through preserving their language and cultural identity for future generations.
The fourth point tackled the humanitarian aspect and societal unity. It addressed the uneven burden on communities that have accepted internally displaced persons, as well as the need for a new societal morality and responsible elite as foundations for trust within the country.
The final point discussed Ukraine’s role in the world. The discussion revolved around whether Ukraine’s subjectivity is now a measurable capacity rather than just a slogan, and what institutional mechanisms can ensure long-term support from partners, including ideas on reparations and building strategic alliances beyond political cycles.
Dmytro Zheman, co-founder of the Institute, highlighted the long-term scope of this dialogue: “We are truly discussing a long-term strategy for the state’s development — contemplating what Ukraine could be not just in 10 or 20 years, but in 100 years. It is crucial that such events unite individuals ready to build Ukraine tomorrow.” According to Svetlana Fabrykant, the forum should serve as a starting point for future efforts: ‘Ukraine Tomorrow’ is just the beginning of a significant journey and extensive work for the Institute for Recovery of Ukraine.
