“One Desk. Two Marks” exhibition presented at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

On 8–9 July, the “One Desk. Two Marks” installation was on display at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. It is part of the global campaign “Every Generation Leaves Its Mark. Education Shapes Its Legacy”, launched by the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform in partnership with UNICEF at the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.

The installation features a school desk divided into two halves: one damaged by war and the other intact. It symbolises the consequences of Russia’s aggression for Ukrainian children and their right to education, while highlighting the importance of a safe learning environment for every child.

The exhibition was presented with the support of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, attended the opening. The exhibition was visited by representatives of 42 countries from Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and South America.

“Having experienced hostile destruction, we want to warn and protect the rest of the world from it,” Olena Zelenska emphasised.

The installation was presented against the backdrop of Ukraine’s active participation in international efforts to protect education. Ukraine has joined the SDG 4-Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC) for the first time. The committee works towards Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Ukraine also participates in UNESCO’s expert group on the protection of education from attacks.

During a meeting in Paris, Olena Zelenska and Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, thanked UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany for the organisation’s continued support for Ukraine. UNESCO documents damage to and destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage caused by Russian attacks. The opening of a UNESCO office in Ukraine in 2022 was an important expression of international solidarity with the country.

The “One Desk. Two Marks” installation was first presented at the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv in September 2025. Since then, it has been exhibited at international institutions, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and the United Nations Office at Geneva at the Palais des Nations, drawing the international community’s attention to the impact of Russian aggression on education in Ukraine.

The global campaign “Every Generation Leaves Its Mark. Education Shapes Its Legacy” highlights the role of education in shaping the future of societies. Through the image of a damaged school desk, it conveys a simple message: war destroys not only buildings but also the normal experience of childhood, while education remains a foundation for development, human dignity, and a peaceful future.