The war in Ukraine will be discussed during presentations Oct. 13 at the University of Tennessee at Martin as a part of the university’s “ENGAGE the Times” series. The series includes 10 meetings each semester for students, faculty and staff to meet and discuss current events.

Dr. Martin Nekola, an author and researcher, will join students and faculty for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Skyhawk Dining Hall where he will speak on the topic, “The Czech Republic, European Union, Rise of Populism and the War in Ukraine.” From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Paul Meek Library, Nekola will turn his attention to “The War in Ukraine – Lessons for Europe.” Both presentations are based on Nekola’s personal experience from eight international election observation missions.

Joining Nekola on the 5 p.m. program is Alette Hargis, a Camden Central High School faculty member, who will discuss “Ukrainians’ Daily Life in War.” The two speakers will present in the library’s north reading room, and the program is open to the public. Event parking will be in the Paul Meek Library parking lot on Wayne Fisher Drive off Mt. Pelia Road. Parking permits are available online at <a href="http://www.utm.edu/departments/publicsafety">www.utm.edu/departments/publicsafety</a> by selecting the “Online Visitor Parking Permit” link.

Nekola received his doctorate in political science at the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. His research is focused on non-democratic regimes, the era of Communism, the Cold War and the Czech communities in the U.S. He also participates in the election observation missions organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He is the member of Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, the author of more than 300 articles and has published 22 books. He is also coordinator of the Czechoslovak Talks project, which focuses on collecting inspiring life stories of the Czechs abroad.

Hargis is a native Ukrainian who earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with a specialization in music and a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature from the Chernigiv State Pedagogical University and the Chernigiv Teachers Institute. Hargis is founder and coordinator of a relief organization for Ukrainian children.

For more information, contact Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, Tom Elam Distinguished Professor of History, at <a href="mailto:accarls@utm.edu">accarls@utm.edu</a>.
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