The role of higher education institutions in the spiritual and moral revival and social integration of the society in post-conflict reconstruction

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the role of higher education institutions in the formation of a new system of values, the preservation of cultural heritage and the restoration of social unity of the region, as well as to identify methods of its integration activities. The methodology and methods included the analysis of scientific publications, case studies of universities in the liberated territories, empirical data and a comparative approach (the experience of other regions of the Russian Federation). The main results confirm the key role of universities in post-conflict reconstruction, uniting social groups that preserve cultural heritage and form ethical guidelines. Their activities reduce social polarization and help restore trust between ethnic and religious communities. The scientific novelty of the study lies in a systematic analysis of the role of Melitopol State University in the post-conflict reconstruction of the region, focusing on its role in integration through cultivation of critical thinking and tolerance.