On 22 April 2026, as part of the implementation of project 101127143 – RISE-UP – ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH under the Jean Monnet Module “Radiation Safety: A European-Ukrainian Approach”, a scientific and awareness-raising event entitled “Radiation, the Environment and Responsibility: Lessons from Chornobyl” was held. The participants of the event included students and academic staff of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University.

The presentation was delivered by Volodymyra Boichuk, Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science. The meeting focused on reflecting on the significance of the Chornobyl disaster for contemporary society, science, environmental policy and the system of specialist training. In the context of the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, it is particularly important not only to honour the memory of one of the largest man-made disasters of the twentieth century, but also to develop a deep understanding of its lessons for the present and the future.

During the event, emphasis was placed on the fact that Chornobyl became not only a tragedy that changed the lives of millions of people and caused large-scale environmental damage, but also a powerful signal of the need to develop a strong culture of safety in the use of nuclear technologies. The consequences of the accident clearly demonstrated that radiation safety issues go far beyond purely technical matters and encompass environmental, biomedical, social, legal and ethical dimensions.

Particular attention was paid to the importance of disseminating knowledge about the nature of ionising radiation, the principles of radiation protection, risk assessment, and the impact of radiation on humans and the environment. In today’s conditions, such knowledge is necessary not only for narrow specialists but also for a broad range of students, academic staff and the public, as it fosters a responsible attitude towards safety issues, helps counter disinformation and contributes to the development of a well-grounded civic position.

This event fully corresponds to the aim of the RISE-UP project, which is focused on implementing a European-Ukrainian approach to education in radiation safety, developing interdisciplinary competences and preparing students to work with the complex challenges of the modern world. Combining physical and technical, biomedical and regulatory dimensions makes it possible to consider radiation safety holistically – as a field in which knowledge, responsibility and public awareness are equally important.