The Washington Group to hold Leadership Conference in June (03/07/99)

The Washington Group to hold Leadership Conference in June

by Orest Deychakiwsky

WASHINGTON - The Washington Group (TWG) will hold its popular Leadership Conference this year on June 25-27 in Washington in conjunction with the conferences of five other organizations. The Joint Conferences of Ukrainian American Organizations that will be held concurrently will be conferences of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), Ukrainian American Bar Association (UABA), Ukrainian National Credit Union Association, Ukrainian Engineers Association of America and Ukrainian Library Association of America. Many other organizations across the country are also participating to make this a major event in our community.

Ukraine, nearly eight years after independence, stands at the threshold of a new millennium. Will it develop as a politically stable and economically vibrant democracy with a Euro-Atlantic orientation? The question of Ukraine's direction has not been resolved. Anti-reform forces who look towards a Slavic union remain strong. What role will America, including the Ukrainian-American community, play in facilitating positive change in Ukraine?

TWG's conference, "At the Threshold," will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va. TWG conference sessions will examine specific subjects within the overall political, strategic, humanitarian, economic and technical environment in Ukraine, with a focus on the U.S.-Ukrainian relationship. The five sessions are: Ukraine on the Eve of Presidential Elections; U.S.-Ukraine Military Cooperation; Trafficking of Women from Ukraine (jointly with Washington/Baltimore Chapter of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America); Ukraine's Role in Interantional Space Programs (together with the Ukrainian Engineers Association); U.S.-Ukraine: Business, Trade and Investment (together with the UABA). These five sessions will be held on Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27. Panels will include experts from government, academia, business, and non-governmental organizations. Among them are Ukrainian Americans who have worked on collaborative projects with Ukraine in these areas.

TWG conference attendees are encouraged to participate in joint conference events, including a Congressional reception on Thursday, June 24, an evening reception at the State Department in the historic Diplomatic reception room - where ambassadors are sworn in and heads of state are hosted - on Friday, June 25, a TWG-organized luncheon on Saturday, June 26, a gala banquet and ball on Saturday evening featuring two bands and a special guest speaker, and a brunch and cultural event on Sunday, June 27. These joint events will feature prominent personalities from the United States and Ukraine.

The TWG conference package deal includes admission to the TWG conference (including cost of all conference sessions, handouts, coffee breaks), the Friday evening State Department reception, Saturday luncheon, Saturday gala banquet/ball, and Sunday brunch and cultural event. The cost of the package deal for TWG members and its sister organization, the New York/New Jersey Professionals and Business Association, is $205 before May 1 (early registration), $245 after May 1. For non-members, the early registration package deal is $230, and $270 after May 1. For TWG membership information and application - and to take advantage of the $25 TWG member discount - please contact TWG Membership Director Adrian Pidlusky as soon as possible by e-mail: [email protected] or telephone: (202) 667-1831.

The Washington Group, an organization of Ukrainian-American professionals based in our nation's capital, has members in more than 25 U.S. states, as well Canada and Ukraine. Since its inception in 1984, and especially through its annual Leadership Conferences, TWG has provided a platform for influential persons from the United States and Ukraine to exchange views with the Ukrainian community. TWG also funds internships at the Embassy of Ukraine, brings high quality Ukrainian cultural events to the nation's capital through its Cultural Fund, stages social events and engages in other activities that serve to advance Ukrainian American life. For more information about TWG, visit our website at: http://www.TheWashingtonGroup.org

Hotel arrangements for an aggregate block of hotel rooms have been made at the Crystal City Hyatt for the very favorable rate of $109 per night plus tax, single or double occupancy. Reservations should be made ASAP. Please call 1-800-233-1234 for reservations and ask to be registered at the Crystal City Hyatt under the "Ukraine Events Week."

Additional details about the Joint Conferences, including the TWG conference, will be forthcoming. For more information, send an e-mail to: [email protected], read The Ukrainian Weekly, check with http://www.brama.com/conference99 or visit the TWG website.

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