Oleksandra Matviichuk on defending human rights in times of war

On September 18, 2026, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), together with the Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden, hosted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk for a special lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE).

Matviichuk has led the Center for Civil Liberties since 2007. The organization has documented human rights violations and alleged war crimes in Ukraine and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.

In her lecture at SSE, Matviichuk reflected on the resilience she has witnessed in Ukraine and the role ordinary people play in sustaining a society under extraordinary pressure. She also discussed the challenges facing democratic societies in an era of war, disinformation, and rapidly changing technology.

“Hope is a deliberate cognitive strategy.”, says Matviichuk.

For Matviichuk, resilience is not only about institutions or military capabilities. It is also rooted in culture, trust, human dignity, and people’s willingness to continue carrying out their responsibilities even in times of crisis.

The lecture was followed by a discussion chaired by Jesper Roine, Deputy Director of SITE, and questions from the audience on democracy, human rights, international law, and the wider implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

SITE and the Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden would like to thank everyone who joined the event, both in person at the Stockholm School of Economics and online. We greatly appreciate your participation and engagement.

Watch the full lecture and discussion to hear Oleksandra Matviichuk’s reflections and the audience Q&A.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk on Defending Human Rights in Times of War

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On September 18, 2026, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), together with the Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden, hosted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk for a special lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics. In the lecture, Defending Human Rights in Times of War, Matviichuk discussed the protection of human rights, the documentation of international crimes, and the pursuit of accountability in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war. Matviichuk is a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and Head of the Center for Civil Liberties, the organization awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The event was chaired by Jesper Roine, Deputy Director at SITE and Adjunct Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics. SITE and the Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden would like to thank everyone who joined the event, both in person at the Stockholm School of Economics and online. We greatly appreciate your participation and engagement.