ADULT EDUCATION AS A RESOURCE FOR SOCIAL ADAPTATION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Abstract

The full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has forced many people to flee their homes, creating numerous challenges related to instability, loss of professional skills and limited opportunities for further personal and professional development. In this context, adult education becomes a critical tool that not only provides basic knowledge, but also helps to restore life strategies and develop new competences necessary for successful integration into a new environment. The article analyses the main aspects of implementing adult education programmes as an important resource for the social adaptation of IDPs based on the experience of the H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University. They are the following: vocational training courses allow IDPs to acquire new skills; they are implemented within the framework of the activities of the departments and the regional centre of mixed education «Skovoroda-HAB». The content of the courses covers a wide range of areas and specialisations, such as technology, administration, pedagogy, and information; psychological support plays a key role in the adaptation process of IDPs, since military operations and forced displacement are often accompanied by serious psycho-emotional trauma. Psychologists and social educators of the University, working with IDPs, develop comprehensive psychological support programmes that include individual and group counselling, psychotherapy sessions, as well as trainings on stress controlling and resilience development; social integration includes measures aimed at creating conditions for the full participation of IDPs in the economic, social and cultural life of host communities; civic education is provided through teaching the basics of human rights, democratic values, legislation that regulates the NGOs activities; formation and development of the national identity of IDPs; involving of IDPs in participating in public life, work in NGOs, and volunteer movements.

Key words: adult education; social adaptation; internally displaced persons; martial law; professional retraining; psychological support; social integration.