New president of UACC pledges to engage the "new generation"
by Marianna Liss
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly
DETROIT - With a pledge to engage the "new generation" of Ukrainian Americans to build a new civil society in Ukraine, Ihor Gawdiak took over the reins as president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (UACC). He spoke with The Ukrainian Weekly soon after the UACC convention held November 21-22 in Warren, Mich.
He especially called on professionals to work individually and via organizations such as The Washington Group and the UACC for the betterment of Ukraine.
Holding degrees in Eastern European, Russian, Soviet and modern European history, Mr. Gawdiak has taught at the University of Maryland and at the U.S. Naval Academy, and has worked for the past 25 years at the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, which, unlike the rest of the library, dedicates itself to research of interest to the White House and the executive branch of government. Thus, he has had a front-row seat for the Cold War and the emergence of independent Ukraine.
Though many in the West have expressed disillusionment with the state of Ukraine, Mr. Gawdiak said he is hopeful and sees a new role for the diaspora in the new Ukraine.
"It is only natural that Ukraine has changed considerably in the past 50 years," he noted, as have all European countries. So it should be no surprise that activists in Ukraine would like Ukrainian Americans to "function as consultants, ... but resist the ideological world view of various diaspora groups," he continued.
Mr. Gawdiak said he believes activists in Ukraine "will build their own political realities." However, he added, "the diaspora has a critical role in building civil society," instilling "a sense of self-initiative, individual responsibility for their own government," and a sense of volunteerism rather than the attitude that society's problems are someone else's.
Mr. Gawdiak strongly encouraged the current trend among Ukrainian American professionals to help with various humanitarian programs, such as helping Chornobyl victims, orphans and the indigent, and providing medical assistance.
He cited Ukrainian Americans' roles as advisors and intermediaries between the U.S. and Ukraine: "Occasionally, the U.S. government has had some reservations or concerns in regard to Ukraine, and we have been asked by various officials to use our influence upon the government of Ukraine to address the matter." There has been such involvement regarding business concerns, and congressional questions, as well as consultations with the State Department and Vice-President Al Gore.
Consultations with the U.S. government also have helped diplomatic circles understand the Ukrainian situation. "Ambassador Stephen Sestanovich," for example, "has shown himself to be very receptive to our suggestions," he noted.
Asked about his plans for the future of the UACC, Mr. Gawdiak related, "I was pleased that the convention approved my recommendations to name Ross Chomiak ... as [Washington] bureau head and to move the office from my home in Maryland to Washington," adding that he hopes this will become another voice in support of Ukraine.
Along with supporting The Washington Group's efforts, Mr. Gawdiak said he will be marshalling the UACC's forces in helping to plan the joint conference of Ukrainian American organizations to be held in Alexandria, Va., on June 24-28, 1999. Plans for the conference include inviting organizations to become sponsors and exhibitors, to send their representatives, to hold concurrent conferences and to join in common forums.
As for the fundamental question posed at the recent The Year 2020 Conference, Mr. Gawdiak underlined that he believes there is a future for the Ukrainian community, but it will be a changed community. For example, he said, "There has been a reawakening of interest in Ukraine - masses of young people are going to Ukraine and want to truly help ... Less emphasis will be upon conserving our heritage and language here ... [because] the new generation will, of course, learn Ukrainian ... in Ukraine."
We will be working more as individuals, "who as persons in positions of responsibility can assist Ukraine," Mr. Gawdiak stated.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 20, 1998, No. 51, Vol. LXVI
| Home Page |