GRÓ • International Centre for Capacity Development

GRÓ GEST Fellow Daryna Zavhorodnia was recently interviewed by the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið, where she shared her personal experiences of living through the war in Ukraine and highlighted an international student-led initiative to honour those lost in the conflict. Life under invasion: disruption, uncertainty and resilience In the interview, Daryna reflects on her life as a university student in Kyiv when Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. She describes how daily life has since been marked by constant uncertainty, frequent air raid alerts and the psychological toll of living under prolonged threat. Despite these challenges, she continued her studies remotely and later pursued work as a researcher in Kyiv. A central theme of the article is the contrast between the appearance of normality and the underlying fragility of life under sustained attacks. Daryna speaks candidly about how residents adapt to ongoing danger, often having to make difficult decisions about safety, rest and routine. Commemorating lost futures: the Unissued Diplomas initiative The interview also highlights Daryna’s involvement in the international exhibition Unissued Diplomas: Never Graduated, Forever Remembered, which commemorates Ukrainian students who lost their lives before completing their education. The project, initiated by Ukrainian students abroad, has grown into a global movement, with exhibitions held in over 40 countries. Through symbolic diplomas, photographs and personal stories, the exhibition seeks to humanise the consequences of war and emphasise the loss of future potential. Continuing advocacy and amplifying student voices Daryna is currently in Iceland as part of the GRÓ GEST programme at the University of Iceland, where she continues to raise awareness of the human impact of war and contribute to global dialogue on peace, equality and education.

On Friday, 20 March, GRÓ GEST 2026 fellows visited Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament. They were led on a guided tour of the building by Arnór Steinn Ívarsson, who introduced them to the history of the parliament — from its early origins at Þingvellir, where Alþingi was first established around the year 930, to the current parliament building constructed in 1881. During the visit, the fellows were also given an overview of Iceland’s political development, including the country’s road to independence, the achievement of women’s suffrage, and women’s steadily increasing political participation throughout the 20th century. They were further introduced to the legislative process in Alþingi — how bills move through parliament, the role of parliamentary committees, and how the public can take part in and engage with parliamentary proceedings. Today, Alþingi has 63 members, of whom 46% are women. Furthermore, 6 out of 11 ministers are women, and 5 of the 6 political parties represented in parliament are led by women.

2026 GRÓ GEST Fellow Esther Chinecherem George will give a presentation at an afternoon seminar on Water and Gender Equality in celebration of World Water Day, on Friday 20 March 2026.