On its 15th anniversary, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosts open house briefing on Ukraine

by Marta Matselioukh
U.S.-Ukraine Foundation

WASHINGTON - To begin commemorating its 15 years of commitment to Ukraine's democracy, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosted an open house with more than 70 participants and a panel discussion on January 19. Panelists Markian Bilynskyj, vice-president and director of field operations in Ukraine, and Marta Kolomayets, director of the Community Partnerships Project in Ukraine, reflected on their 15-year odyssey in this European country.

Nadia K. McConnell, president of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, underscored that "Whatever successes the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation has had, it is because of the great staff, and the many supporters and friends of the foundation that we depend on."

The foundation also had a second reason to celebrate: its recent move to a new location on 17th and K streets. Only a few blocks from its old office, the USUF is now located among many Washington think-tanks and non-governmental organizations.

Exactly one week later, on January 26, the U.S.-Ukraine foundation's new office was once again bustling with activity. The foundation, along with Frishberg & Partners (Ukraine corporate law specialists), and BISNIS (U.S. Commercial Service), co-sponsored a briefing on Ukraine.

The briefing, titled "Ukraine's Current Legal and Investment Climate," included an array of speakers. Desi Jordanoff, BISNIS, gave an introduction, and Mrs. McConnell moderated the event. The main speakers were Alex Frishberg and Alex Schay of Frishberg & Partners.

These two events are among many to be hosted in a yearlong series of events planned by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation as it celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Over the years, the foundation's most prominent programs have been the Community Partnerships Project (funded by the U.S. Agency for Development), the Ukraine Policy Dialogue Project (funded by the U.S. Department of State) and the Youth Leadership Program.

Using city-to-city partnerships between U.S. and Ukrainian communities, the Community Partnerships Project helps transform local government in Ukraine and supports grassroots and constituent-driven reform.

The Policy Dialogue Project facilitates democratic reform in Ukraine via meetings between government officials, members of the Verkhovna Rada and Congress, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, the media and the business community.

The Youth Leadership Program focuses on the young leaders of tomorrow with an intensive weeklong training program. The program has been conducted in Washington and in Ukraine.

For more information about U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's work, readers may log on to www.usukraine.org.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 19, 2006, No. 8, Vol. LXXIV

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