PARTICIPATION OF THE UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CONGRESS
IN PARLIAMENTARY HEARING ON THE TOPIC
“UKRAINIANS ABROAD: CURRENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT”
On October 14, 2009 in the session hall of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, there took place a parliamentary hearing on the topic “UKRAINIANS ABROAD: CURRENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT.” The purpose of this hearing was to comprehensively discuss the current situation of Ukrainians abroad, their problems and the ways to solve them, as well as the ways to get Ukrainians abroad involved in the social life of Ukraine.
Leaders of foreign communities and world organizations of Ukrainians, together with People’s deputies of Ukraine, members of government, leaders of different committees and diplomatic establishments, and representatives of clergy were invited to take part in this hearing.
Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Speaker of Verkhovna Rada, who was presiding remarked, “This is the first time in the history of the Ukrainian parliament that this topic has been brought up to be discussed in parliament, to be precise, in the parliamentary hall”. He called upon all present to discuss the issues as Ukrainians and not as representatives of political parties, in order not to forget the national interests of Ukraine and of the 20 million Ukrainians outside of the country.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Serhiy Kasyanchuk and Myron Spolsky took an active part in the hearing.
Serhiy Kasyanchuk stated the position of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in his speech: “We think that today’s hearing is the first step on the way to providing a legislative guarantee of relations between Ukraine and the Diaspora. Today we, in the Diaspora as well as in Ukraine, begin to understand one another considerably better; we begin to use opportunities to unite our efforts, to rethink our relations… Cooperation becomes a keyword in our relationships- equal cooperation, which is beneficial for both sides… “.
Mr. Kasyanchuk stressed that “… today the time has come for all the thoughts, all the experience to be put down on paper, to discuss and develop a systemic and logical approach to the development of our relationships, in order to maximize coherence in our opportunities and strivings, so as to put to work this powerful force of Ukrainians around the world united with their country. ”
The Congress has submitted its written proposals to Verkhovna Rada about the analysis of the current situation of the Ukrainian community and the ways of developing cooperation. Here are some excerpts from the proposal:
- Adoption of effective legislation concerning Ukrainians abroad and broadening of their economic, social and political rights in Ukraine;
- Adoption of necessary law about legal status of migrant workers and members of their families and ways to protect their rights and freedoms;
- Support of ongoing exchange between youth and student organizations of the Diaspora and Ukraine, comprehensive support of Plast and SUM who have international cooperation network with the Diaspora;
- Introduction of state sponsored programs for the development and support of Ukrainian studies, schools in the Diaspora, scientific and research centers, development of research in Ukrainian studies in universities and other institutions of higher learning abroad;
- Development of programs popularizing world-wide Ukrainian cultural, historical and spiritual heritage, contemporary achievements in sports, science, arts and culture with the purpose of improving the image of Ukraine in the world;
- Establishment of a system of cooperation and partnership with the leaders of the Ukrainian Diaspora headed by the Ukrainian World Congress and its regional offices, necessity for the UWC to have its representative in Verkhovna Rada, Government of Ukraine and other appropriate state institutions.
You can obtain detailed information about the proposals of UCC for the parliamentary hearing at www.ucc.ca and complete information on the parliamentary hearing itself is available on the official website of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at Verkhovna Rada.
Myron Spolsky and Serhiy Kasyanchuk
