In this Issue:
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A report by Chair of the UCC Advisory Council in Ukraine Lenna Kocszarny on visit she and UCC National President Paul Grod made to the front lines near Mariupol in the Donbass. Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Mariupol, Ukraine for the first time, accompanying Paul Grod, President of Ukrainian Canadian Congress, together with Bogdan Kovalev, representative of the Ukrainian Volunteer Council, accredited with the Ministry of Defence. Our mission was to meet the brave Ukrainian patriots defending Mariupol on the front lines and ensure that uniforms, boots and night vision goggles provided as non-lethal military aid by the Canadian government were reaching those who need it most. The journey was long as we drove deep into the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) zone to this famous city situated in southeastern Ukraine on the Sea of Azov, founded on the site of a former Cossack encampment named Kalmius and known throughout the years for its industrial might.
To view the entire article along with pictures, please click here.
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29 April, 2015 – Toronto/Ottawa – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress(UCC) welcomed Vira Savchenko, sister of illegally imprisoned Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya Savchenko, to Canada. Vira Savchenko was in Canada to raise awareness of the illegal arrest and imprisonment of her sister Nadiya by Russian authorities. While in Canada, she participated in the International Roundtable discussion “Reforms, Security and the European Ukraine” on Saturday April 25 in Toronto, and a banquet on Sunday April 26, hosted by Dopomoha Ukraini, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and the UCC. On April 27-28, Ms. Savchenko met with political leaders, the Ukrainian community and the media in Ottawa.
Lt. Nadiya Savchenko, a Ukrainian air force pilot, was abducted by Kremlin-backed terrorists in Luhansk oblast in eastern Ukraine in June 2014. She was illegally removed from Ukrainian territory to the Russian Federation, where she continues to be illegally imprisoned.
Savchenko’s detention is a flagrant violation of her basic human rights and Russia’s international commitments. She is a victim of Russia’s war against Ukraine and a political prisoner who must be immediately released by the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation is currently illegally detaining other Ukrainian citizens, in violation of their rights, such as filmmaker Oleh Sentsov.
Savchenko is being held in Moscow where she awaits a trial date on charges that she provided the coordinates of two Russian journalists who were killed in a mortar attack in Luhansk oblast. Savchenko denies the charges and cell phone records confirm that she had already been captured and was in custody when the journalists were killed.
She undertook a hunger strike in protest of her illegal detention. She has lost 17 kilograms (37 pounds) or 26% of her body weight. Her situation is critical.
For a Chronology of Events on the illegal imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko please click here
The UN Commissioner for Human Rights and governments across the world have called for Savchenko’s immediate release.
While in Ottawa, Vira raised awareness of the grave situation concerning Nadiya and met with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Consular, David Anderson, M.P.; the Honourable Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee; Opposition Members of Parliament Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar, M.P. (NDP) and, Members of Parliament the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Chrystia Freeland (Liberal), as well as with the media. On the evening of April 27, Ms. Savchenko addressed over 100 members of the Ukrainian community assembled at Ottawa’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral’s hall, and responded to questions from the audience. Vira also met with representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine to Canada.
#FreeSavchenko
ВІРА САВЧЕНКО ВІДВІДАЛА КАНАДУ ДЛЯ ВИСВІТЛЕННЯ ПИТАННЯ ЩОДО НЕЗАКОННОГО УВ’ЯЗНЕННЯ ЇЇ СЕСТРИ РОСІЄЮ
29 квітня 2015 р. – Торонто/Оттава – Конґрес Українців Канади радо зустрів у Канаді Віру Савченко, сестру незаконно ув’язненого українського військового пілота Надії Савченко.
Віра Савченко відвідала Канаду для висвітлення питання незаконного арешту та ув’язнення російською владою її сестри Надії. Перебуваючи в Канаді, в суботу 25 квітня вона взяла участь у міжнародному круглому столі в Торонті на тему “Реформи, безпека та європейська Україна” та в неділю 26 квітня відвідала бенкет, організований фондом “Допомога Україні”, Українсько-Канадською Фундацією, Канадсько-Українською Торговою Палатою та Конґресом Українців Канади. 27 та 28 квітня пані Савченко зустрілася в Оттаві з політичними лідерами, українською громадою та засобами масової інформації.
Лейтенант Надія Савченко – пілот військово-повітряних сил України, в червні 2014 року була викрадена підтримуваними Кремлем терористами на сході України в Луганській області. Її незаконно вивезли з території України в Російську Федерацію, де вона знаходиться незаконно ув’язненою й досі.
Затримання Савченко є кричущим порушенням її основних прав людини та міжнародних зобов’язань Росії. Вона є жертвою війни Росії проти України та політичним в’язнем, якого Російська Федерація повинна негайно звільнити. Російська Федерація на даний момент незаконно утримує й інших українських громадян, порушуючи їхні права, зокрема режисера Олега Сенцова.
Савченко утримують в Москві, де вона очікує на призначення дати судового засідання по звинуваченню в тому, що вона надала координати місцезнаходження двох російських журналістів, яких було вбито під час мінометного обстрілу в Луганській області. Савченко відхиляє звинувачення а записи розмов по мобільному телефону підтверджують, що під час загибелі журналістів вона вже перебувала під арештом терористичних угруповань.
Уповноважений з прав людини ООН та уряди країн усього світу вимагають негайного звільнення Савченко.
Перебуваючи в Оттаві, Віра підняла питання складності ситуації щодо Надії та зустрілась з парламентським секретарем Міністра Закордонних Справ, членом Парламенту, Девідом Андерсоном;, Високоповажним Сенатором Рейнел Андрейчуком, Головою Сенатського Комітету Закордонних Справ; опозиційним членом Парламенту, критиком Закордонних Справ Полом Дюаром (Нова Демократична Партія) та з членами Парламенту, Високоповажним Ральфом Ґудейлом і Христею Фріленд (Ліберальна Партія), а також представниками засобів масової інформації. У вечір 27 квітня, Віра провела зустріч з більше 100 представників української громади в Оттаві. Віра також зустрілася з представниками Посольства України в Канаді.
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OTTAWA – APRIL 30, 2015. Canada’s House of Commons held a 4 hour “take-note” debate on the situation in Ukraine last night in which over 30 members of Parliament participated, including 4 members of the federal cabinet (the Hon. Rob Nicholson, M.P., P.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence; the Hon. Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence; and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade). All of Canada’s recognized political parties expressed support for Canada’s military training mission to Ukraine. “Canadians across the country are deeply concerned by the aggression of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and invasion of sovereign Ukrainian territory in Crimea and in Eastern Ukraine. Members of the House of Commons united in support of Ukraine and in opposition to Putin’s aggression,” stated Ukrainian Canadian Congress Executive Director Taras Zalusky. “There were a large range of views on the positive areas where Canada can assist Ukraine, from providing weapons to defend itself, to increasing sanctions against Russia, to increasing trade and development assistance. We thank all MPs who took part in this important debate.” The official proceedings of entire debate may be found at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=hansard&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=2 Attached, please find some key quotes from participants in the debate: “Russia is hoping to use the democratic freedoms it curtails at home, and in particular its chokehold on the freedom of the press, to spread disinformation and weaken Ukraine’s resolve to defend its core values. It sees anyone’s attachment to these freedoms as a weakness. This tells us all we need to know about how poorly Putin understands democracy and the power of democracies.” – Hon. Rob Nicholson, M.P., P.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs For the complete list of key quotes, please visit our website: Canadian House of Commons Holds Debate on Situation in Ukraine ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Now Accepting Resumes! Ottawa – April 24 – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is pleased to announce three Canada Summer Job positions available to students to work with the UCC this spring and summer. Please find more information about the positions offered below. Students applying for the positions, must be 15-30 years of age, registered as a full-time student during the preceding academic year and intending to return as a full-time student for the next academic year. They must also be legally entitled to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status. Research and Programming Assistant (UCC National Office) Location: Ottawa, ON Start date: May 4, 2015 Salary: $13.00/hr Duration: 8 weeks at 30hrs/wk (240hrs total) Heritage Promotion (125th Anniversary) Assistant Location: Winnipeg, MB Start date: May 19, 2013 Salary: $12.70/hr Duration: 14 weeks at 40hrs/wk (560hrs total) Holodomor Research and Awareness Assistant Location: Toronto, ON Start date: May 4, 2015 Salary: $13.00/hr Duration: 8 weeks at 30hrs/wk (240hrs total) For complete position requirements and information, please visit our website: UCC 2015 Summer Student Positions ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) April 14, 2015 – The Canada Ukraine Foundation announced the launch of their mobile application to provide mental health resources for soldiers, veterans, their families and the Ukrainian people at large who are exposed to mental health trauma associated with the military conflict. The application was developed in Ukrainian with content provided by the Operation Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic of the Royal Mental Health Centre of Ottawa to permit these individuals to self-assess and find support for critical mental health issues including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and sleep issues. Launched as “Mobilna Psychologichna Dopomoga” (Мобільна Психологічна Допомога), which means mobile psychological assistance in Ukrainian, the mobile application was developed as an expandable portal of information, with a series of assessment surveys that allows users to privately and discretely determine the type of referral they may need, and where they might be able to find those clinics and services in their region. Filled with additional resources, not only for clients, but also for health care professionals, the goal is to drive rapid diagnosis and allow users to find the help they need. Funded by the Canada Ukraine Foundation, the application is based on the OSI Clinic Network mobile application developed by Veteran Affairs Canada in concert with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. “The goal of this application is to get mental health trauma awareness information into the pockets of Ukrainian people and connect them to the resources they need as quickly as possible,” said Victor Hetmanczuk, President of the Canada Ukraine Foundation. “By recognizing the signs of potential mental disorder as early as possible, we can help prevent it and provide necessary professional assistance as quickly as possible.” The mobile application was developed by Purple Forge the leading provider of mobile applications to governments and public agencies in North America. The applications were developed with using a state-of-the-art mobile application content management system that will allow the applications to be updated on the fly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to share the latest content and information as it becomes available for users. “It was critical to build the application rapidly due to the increasingly pressing mental health needs of veterans of the Ukrainian conflict,” said John Craig, the VP of Sales and Marketing for Purple Forge. “Mobile is also the ideal way to deliver these services, making it accessible across Ukraine on the devices used most frequently to access the Internet.” About the Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) The Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established at the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) in order to coordinate, develop, organize and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. CUF assists in the development of a democratic nation with a civil society that maintains and develops culture, tradition and language in Ukraine by strengthening strategic partnerships in Canada and Ukraine. To visit their website, click here. Contact:Victor Hetmanczuk: vhetmanczuk@bell.net
About Purple Forge Purple Forge sells subscription based services to organizations looking to engage their stakeholders using the latest mobile application technology and leveraging community engagement and social networking best practices. Purple Forge is an award-winning firm led by seasoned mobile communications and Internet technology veterans. Our mobile applications allow organizations to broadcast, share and receive feedback from their target audience real-time, allowing them to foster long-term, engaged relationships. |
 Ottawa-April 26, 2015 – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress issued the following statement on the 29th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster: The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) asks that all Canadians pause today to remember the victims of the Chornobyl nuclear catastrophe. Today, we commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. On April 26, 1986, at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, an explosion and meltdown occurred at one of the reactors. The massive amount of radiation released by the explosion impacted a wide swath of territory in Ukraine and Belarus. the terrible impact of this tragedy affected thousands of people and the adverse effects on the population’s health and the environment are still being felt today. The UCC prays for the victims and all those affected by the Chornobyl disaster. For a more detailed history on the Chornobyl disaster please click here Many communities across Canada mark the occasion of the anniversary of this tragic incident with vigils and solemn commemorations. Please check the calendar of events on the UCC website for information on vigils taking place in your area.
Конґрес Українців Канади відзначає річницю ядерної катастрофи у Чорнобилі
Оттава, Онтаріо – 26 квітня, 2015 – Конґрес Україців Канади висилав цю заяву на визнання 29-ої річниці Чорнобильської ядерної катастрофи в Україні. Конґрес Україців Канади (КУК) питає всіх Канадійців брати хвилину мовчання, пам’ятати всіх які загинули в Чорнобильської ядерної катастрофи. Сьогодні, ми визначаємо 29-у річницю Чорнобильської ядерної катастрофи. В 26 квітня 1986 році, в Чорнобильської ядерної станції, був вибух та розплавлення в одних реакторів. Велика територіа в Україні та Белорусії була зворушена від радіації, включаючи здоров’я всіх людей які там жили. Наслідки цієї трагедії ще можна чути до теперішної часи. КУК молиться за всіх загиблих та всі, які ще живуть з наслідками Для більш детальної історії Чорнобильської катастрофи натисніть тут Багато громад у всій Канаді урочисто вшановують річницю цієї трагічної події. Будь ласка, прогляньте календар подій на сайті КУК для отримання інформації про заходи, які відбуваються у вашому регіоні.
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 The Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) is hosting the 2015 National SUSK Congress from May 7th to 10th, 2015 in Montréal, Quebec. The Congress aims to encourage and challenge leaders of the Ukrainian Canadian student community to come together, to discuss and deliberate relevant questions and issues, and to spearhead the future of youth leadership and involvement in Canada and Ukraine. All Congress information, including program and registration details, can be found at http://congress.susk.ca/ SUSK is seeking a dynamic, results-oriented individual to fill the new, full-time SUSK National Coordinator position. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, the SUSK National Coordinator will work alongside UCC staff at the UCC National Office to help SUSK reach, support, and empower more young Ukrainian Canadians while enhancing the operational capacity of the UCC. For more information, including a detailed description of the position and application instructions, please visitwww.susk.ca/national-coordinator/ |
