NikVesti and IMS joined Human Bonds: «Dialogues through portals connecting Copenhagen and Mykolaiv»

The team at the online media outlet NikVesti, together with the international organisation International Media Support (IMS), took part in the Human Bonds project, which linked Mykolaiv with the Danish cities of Copenhagen and Aalborg. Via video link, participants discussed life during the war, Ukraine’s recovery and cooperation between countries.

IMS announced the editorial team’s participation. In Mykolaiv, the project coincided with City Day celebrations.

The initiative was launched by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Museum for the United Nations — UN Live. Special containers equipped with video conferencing facilities were set up in the three cities for the video links. Participants were able to step inside, see people in another country and chat with them live.

According to the organisers, this format enables Ukrainians and Danes to get to know one another, exchange experiences and gain a better understanding of each other’s everyday lives. Mykolaiv plays an important role in the project due to Denmark’s long-term support for the city’s reconstruction. Consequently, a significant portion of the meetings was devoted to the experiences of Mykolaiv residents and local organisations.

NikVesti spoke about the editorial team’s experience

Yelyzaveta Moskvina, a representative of NikVesti, spoke about the media’s work during the video conference; photo: IMS

Yelyzaveta Moskvina, Audience Development Manager at «NikVesti», took part in a video conference on the ethical coverage of human stories alongside IMS and other participants. She shared her own experiences and those of the editorial team.

«As a media representative, I was particularly keen to join the discussion on the ethical coverage of stories alongside IMS and other participants. Furthermore, the very idea and format of Human Bonds made a strong impression on me. These dialogues, facilitated by the portals connecting Copenhagen and Mykolaiv, proved to be a valuable experience,» said Yelyzaveta Moskvina.

Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Lücke Rasmussen took part in one of these meetings as part of the project; photo courtesy of the Danish Embassy in Ukraine

According to her, taking part in the project gave her a stronger sense of the personal connection between Ukraine and Denmark.

«Behind hundreds of projects are real people, and such initiatives create opportunities to talk as equal partners who share common values and experiences. You begin to realise just how much we have in common,» she added.

The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs joined the video conference

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lykke Rasmussen took part in one of the meetings linking Copenhagen and Mykolaiv.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lücke Rasmussen took part in one of these meetings as part of the project; photo courtesy of the Danish Embassy in Ukraine

Overall, representatives from a number of Ukrainian, Danish and international organisations have joined Human Bonds, including the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine, the Danish Refugee Council, the World Food Programme, the Danish Red Cross and IMS.

IMS Programme Manager Goar Khojayyan noted that the organisation has been working in Ukraine for over 15 years, and has been particularly active since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. According to her, the project gave people working on joint programmes in Ukraine and Denmark the opportunity to pause and talk in person.

«NikVesti» Together with IMS, they joined a video conference linking Mykolaiv with Copenhagen; photo: IMS

Sasha Rodricks, Programme Manager for Global We at UN Live, explained that the identical containers in the Ukrainian and Danish cities were part of the organisers’ concept. They sought to create a space where participants would feel as equals and be able to speak openly about their hopes, fears and what matters to them.

In Copenhagen, stories of Ukrainians were also showcased through photographs

In Denmark, the stories of Ukrainians were showcased through photographs, photo: IMS

Stories of Ukrainians were showcased through photographs in Denmark, photo: IMS

Stories of Ukrainians were showcased through photographs in Denmark, photo: IMS

Stories of Ukrainians were showcased through photographs in Denmark, photo: IMS

Next to the teleconference area on Copenhagen’s Town Hall Square, a photo exhibition entitled «Ukraine: The Tip of the Spear» – created by Danish war photographer Mikkel Herlik and organised by the United Nations Development Programme – was on display.

During the video conference NikVesti, the editorial team shared their experiences of working in Mykolaiv; photo: Danish Refugee Council

The exhibition forms part of the «Human Bonds» initiative. It tells the stories of Ukrainians who continue to work during the war and are contributing to the country’s recovery: veterans, academics, energy workers, bomb disposal experts, doctors, entrepreneurs and local government officials.

The NikVesti editorial team’s support club is being developed. Its members help the online media outlet to operate through regular contributions, and gain access to a private chat group and exclusive content prior to publication. Readers’ support helps the editorial team to cover life in Mykolaiv and the region, produce reports and investigate local issues. Join the NikVesti club.