“One Desk. Two Marks” Installation Presented at the Sorbonne

The “One Desk. Two Marks” installation has been presented at the Sorbonne, one of France’s best-known universities. It marks another stop on the project’s international journey, aimed at drawing attention to the impact of war on education in Ukraine and the role of learning in shaping a peaceful future.

The installation consists of a school desk and a blackboard, each divided into two halves. The half damaged by war symbolises the destruction inflicted on Ukrainian education by Russia’s aggression. The intact half represents the opportunities education creates and the possibility of a future in which every child can learn in safety.

The project is part of the global campaign “Every Generation Leaves Its Mark. Education Shapes Its Legacy”, developed by the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform in partnership with creative agency Banda and UNICEF. The installation was first presented at the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv in September 2025.

Following the Summit, the desk and blackboard began travelling to international institutions and educational venues to highlight the price Ukrainian children pay because of the war and the importance of protecting their right to education. The installation’s international journey is organised by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Today, as Russia’s aggression continues to destroy Ukrainian schools and disrupt learning, the installation also speaks to an international audience. It serves as a reminder that education is not only about passing on knowledge, but also about fostering mutual understanding, respect for human dignity, and peaceful coexistence. What each generation leaves to the next depends, in part, on the education it can provide for children today.