Brussels, Wednesday 22 April 2026
In a time of war, families are both vulnerable people to protect (especially women and children) and an instrument to foster social cohesion and resilience. In the rear front, families act as a moral support of soldiers.
Regardless of their composition or beliefs, Ukrainian families are divided and suffer from military duties of the parents, exodus out of the country, end of educational and social services, etc.
Furthermore, families are also a powerful tool for peace consolidation after the war. When Ukraine will be recovering from the end of the fights, strong networks of families will help the society to be resilient and to build bridges to achieve a social reconciliation.
The conference was hosted by MEP General Christophe Gomart (EPP) and organised by FAFCE and L’Oeuvre d’Orient.
“After 36 years of service as an officer, I understand the demands of such a conflict, both in human lives and material resources. […] One thing remains certain: in times of hardship, the family is an essential source of support and refuge. One fights for one’s country, but also for one’s family, and it is to them that one returns.” said General Gomart in his introduction.
The audience was deeply moved by the speech of Mrs Liudmyla Levytska, Ukrainian mother and refugee in Belgium, shared a very moving testimony of her flee from Ukraine with her young son, including terrible images of his school destroyed by Russian bombs. “The war taught us how to live today. Not to put life off. To appreciate the simple things—the light in the house, a quiet night, a child’s smile. I am deeply grateful to Belgium for the safety, for the people, for the possibility of living without air raid sirens.”
Another testimony from the field was the speech of Viktoriia and Dmytro Demedyuk, members of the Équipes Notre-Dame in Ukraine, who explained that “We have stopped dreaming and making long-term plans, because we cannot influence external circumstances. We put our lives in complete trust in the Lord God and accept His will in everything He has prepared for us.” The Equipes Notre-Dame (“Teams of Our Lady”) are a movement of married couples who meet regularly with a priest to strengthen their family life.
The Auxiliary Bishop of Kamianets-Podilskyi (South-West of Ukraine), Mgr Radosław Zmitrowicz, also spoke about the situation of its faithful and the need to allow families for get together when the fights will be over.
Finally, Mr. Antoine Renard, former President of FAFCE and Board Member of L’Œuvre d’Orient recalled that 19.500 children were kidnapped by Russian authorities to be raised as if they were Russian citizens. Only 2.000 of them have been released to their own family yet.
This seminar was aimed at linking local Ukrainian actors with European policymakers in order to prepare peacebuilders in Ukraine to face the challenge of peace on the best conditions. This has proven a success a five different MEPs were present to hear the testimonies of Ukrainian representatives of the civil society.
