Stand With Ukraine visited the Le Gué à Tresmes vocational and technological high school in Congis-sur-Thérouanne today, to speak with three classes of students about European citizenship, Ukraine, and the fight against disinformation.
This event, made possible thanks to the support of the Île-de-France Region, took place in a committed institution that is part of the network of European Parliament Ambassador Schools.
Ukraine is already deeply embedded in our daily lives—shaping pop culture through music, fashion, tech, and video games—often without people realizing these talents and innovations are Ukrainian. This session offered a chance to explore the richness and dynamism of a country that is profoundly European.
Beyond the cultural aspect, this meeting was an opportunity to discuss key elements of European citizenship: Erasmus, the end of roaming charges, the euro, as well as shared security, democracy, and values.
Students learned about Ukraine’s contemporary history, closely intertwined with that of Europe. They discovered how Ukrainian youth mobilized on Maidan Square in Kyiv in 2013 to defend their European future, after the pro-Russian president refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union.
The violent repression of the movement led to his flight to Russia, paving the way for the illegal annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in the Donbas. Eight years later, in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.
Particular attention was given to hybrid warfare and disinformation, which have become especially harmful—especially among younger generations. In a world saturated with images and content, learning to separate truth from falsehood is more important than ever. These discussions helped students take a step back and better understand how information can be manipulated.
A huge thank you to Le Gué à Tresmes High School and to teacher Sandrine Martinelli for the warm welcome and commitment, and congratulations to the students for their active participation and keen interest in Europe and Ukraine.
Stand With Ukraine is proud to have delivered this message in such a dedicated school, and to witness the engagement of a generation ready to stand up for European values of peace, democracy, and solidarity.
