Tribute to Ukraine – Witnessing War, Delivering Hope
On 19 June 2025, ITF Enhancing Human Security hosted the event “Tribute to Ukraine – Witnessing War, Delivering Hope” in House of the EU, in Ljubljana. The event featured a travelogue testimony by Slovenian journalist and war correspondent Erik Valenčič, who returned from his latest humanitarian mission to Ukraine. With firsthand insight, he shared the challenges of navigating conflict zones, delivering aid, and bearing witness to the everyday reality of civilians affected by war.
Valenčič, who has undertaken several humanitarian missions to Ukraine since the beginning of the war in 2022, shared his reflections from the field—encounters with local people, aid workers, and volunteers who continue their work despite daily hardships. His most recent journey in May 2025 took him across eastern Ukraine, including the Kharkiv region, where he delivered humanitarian assistance. Among the aid was beekeeping equipment donated by the Republic of Korea through ITF, supporting local beekeepers as part of ITF’s broader initiative to empower mine victims and communities affected by conflict. Beekeeping has proven to be not only a practical livelihood solution, but also a meaningful path to restoring dignity and self-sufficiency for those rebuilding their lives.
The event brought together a broad spectrum of guests, from the humanitarian field, donor community, diplomatic corps, and other engaged stakeholders. We were especially honoured by the presence of Dr. Aleš Musar, spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Slovenia—whose countries have each played a critical role in supporting ITF initiatives in Ukraine. Their participation underscored the importance of continued international solidarity and dialogue in addressing humanitarian needs in conflict-affected areas.
Beyond sharing field experiences, the event served as a platform for exchanging ideas on how to deliver assistance in innovative and impactful ways. Attention was drawn to alternative approaches for reaching civilians in war-affected regions, including the use of grassroots networks, local partnerships, and livelihood-based support such as beekeeping. As traditional methods of aid delivery are often challenged by security risks and logistical barriers, such conversations are essential for adapting to new realities on the ground.
ITF sincerely thanks all guests, speakers, and partners for their presence and engagement. In a time of protracted conflict, the collective commitment to delivering hope and assistance remains vital—and continues to shape the way forward.