I’m very pleased to offer this short report on my participation at the recent Ukrainian World Congress Summit in Bucharest, Romania this April.
Ahead of the Summit I was asked to participate in a special delegation to meet with President Zelenskyy. We made the journey to and from Bucharest to Chernivtsi where the President was attending the Ukrainian Forum of Mayors. I was very honoured to represent the UCC and our community at the meeting with President Zelenskyy. Our group had community leaders from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Romania and the United States. He spoke to us about Ukraine’s urgent need for more ammunition and weapons, and about the need to push our respective governments for more assistance on an urgent basis. He also noted the importance of connecting newcomers into our community education and youth programs to help ensure continued connection.
Back in Bucharest, the summit programming had many panel discussions on important topics, including advocacy, education, community development and supporting newcomers. Each panel brought together community leaders from 4-5 countries to share best practises. I participated on a panel on the topic of advocacy, Orysia Boychuk gave a presentation on supports to newcomers, and Demyan Hyworon gave a presentation on the work of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in building community. There were also other discussions on best ways to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and these were well attended by the more than dozen other Ukrainian Canadians representing UNF, LUCW and other organizations.
As with every gathering of Ukrainians, it was a wonderful opportunity to make new contacts with community leaders from around the world facing similar challenges. I was struck by the number of new communities from Europe and around the world which had come together in the past two years. Places like Malta, Finland, Spain, Dubai and Denmark now are home to growing Ukrainian communities and looking to develop Ukrainian schools and organizations.
Finally, it was a good opportunity to get to know the Ukrainian Romanian community. They are very well established, well organized and working in the areas of arts, education and advocacy. I hope that we’ll be able to build a stronger working relationship with them in the years ahead.
*Don’t miss out on exclusive insights into the Ukrainian World Congress Summit! Watch a special interview with CKCU reporter, Yevheniia Rimikhanova, as she gains firsthand perspectives from Ihor Michalchyshyn, the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Click the link to watch the video on our YouTube channel or listen to the interview recording that aired on Monday, May 6th, 2024, during CKCU Ukrainian Waves.
