EXTENDED COMMENTARY—Navigating the labyrinth of youth return to deoccupied territories in Ukraine: Stakeholders, strategies, and ethical imperatives

Abstract

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for over two years. As territories that were captured at the beginning of the conflict are being deoccupied, the pressing issue of repopulating these areas emerges, especially concerning the youth. In this commentary, we critically examine the tripartite cooperation among universities, governments, and local self‐government bodies as a critical mechanism for encouraging the return of young people to Ukraine's deoccupied territories. Considering the inevitable exodus of youth due to occupation, we underscore the importance of early strategy conceptualization for their return. The discussion analyzes the roles and responsibilities of all key stakeholders, the necessity to balance national directives with local autonomy, and the ethical imperatives that should guide such endeavors. Although centered on the Ukrainian context, the insights from this research may prove valuable for other regions encountering similar challenges amidst globalization.