This year’s Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) Congress 2026, held under the theme “Freedom Doesn’t Stay Silent,” brought together more than 50 students, alumni, community leaders, and advocates from across Canada for several unforgettable days of learning, connection, advocacy, and celebration.  

From the very first evening, the energy of Congress was undeniable. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about each Ukrainian Student Organization (USO) within SUSK and the initiatives they had led throughout the year.  

On the second day, the Congress moved to the National Arts Center and His Excellency Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, opened up the day. His remarks emphasized the importance of youth leadership, advocacy, and the continued support of Ukraine during challenging times. The day continued with two academic sessions led by Dominique Arel, Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Ottawa, and Olga Onuch, Professor in Comparative and Ukrainian Politics at the University of Manchester. 

The day continued with inspiring sessions featuring Ruslan Kurt, President of the Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars, and Riana Teifukova, Ph.D. in International Relations, who both sparked meaningful dialogue surrounding human rights, advocacy, and the experiences of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars impacted by Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. As part of SUSK’s advocacy efforts for Crimean prisoners of war and political prisoners illegally imprisoned by Russia, Congress participants also took part in a letter-writing initiative dedicated to 22-year old political prisoner Appaz Kurtamet, who has been imprisoned illegally by Russia since 2022 and subjected to torture by his Russian jailors. Olha Kuryshko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, issued a dedicated five-minute video addressed to Congress attendees, speaking about the importance of the mentorship initiative, offering a glimpse into Appaz’s life, and explaining the power behind every letter. 

To wrap up the Friday panels, Angela Kalyta, a member of the Russian Embassy Protesters, talked to students about the importance of activism, resilinece, community mobilization and battling war fatigue. The REPs have demonstrated outside of the Russian Embassy in Ottawa every weekday since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  

As students explored Ottawa after a compelling day of speakers and workshops, the NAC venue was transformed into a beautiful space ready to host the SUSK Alumni Night, an evening meant to celebrate the importance of intergenerational connection within the Ukrainian Canadian community. The SUSK Alumni Night brought together former and current SUSK members, as well as members of the Ottawa community, creating opportunities for mentorship, networking, and meaningful conversations between generations of student leaders. Stories, experiences, and advice were shared, reinforcing the lasting impact that SUSK continues to have on its members long after graduation. 

Saturday’s programming focused on historical education and remembrance. The day started off by a presentation lead by Marta Baziuk, Executive Director of the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium, on “Famine as Genocide: The Holodomor in Ukraine”. The session highlighted the work of the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC), an initiative of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), which recently launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) exploring the Holodomor and the broader history of famine as a weapon of genocide. Then, after election speeches, students departed on an excursion to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.  

Finally, following a weekend filled with important discussions and leadership development, attendees celebrated at the SUSK CEЛО Zabava Night, an evening filled with music, dancing, laughter, and celebration of Ukrainian culture and identity. The evening was made even more memorable by a live performance from TYSK Band, whose energy and music brought everyone together on the dance floor and created an unforgettable atmosphere.  

Now while normally, the SUSK Congress would conclude on the Sunday after elections and the closing of the SUSK AGM, this year was different. Thanks to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, SUSK participants had the opportunity to stay in Ottawa for an extra night and take part in the UCC Advocacy Day on Parliament Hill. It turned out to be a remarkable experience that allowed young leaders to engage directly in advocacy efforts, strengthen their voices, and contribute to important conversations affecting the Ukrainian Canadian community and Ukraine itself. 

SUSK Congress 2026 demonstrated that student leadership extends far beyond campus involvement. It is rooted in advocacy, education, cultural preservation, and community building. Most importantly, this year’s Congress reminded everyone involved that freedom, identity, and solidarity do not remain silent, and neither does the next generation of Ukrainian Canadian leaders.