Fourth World Forum of Ukrainians reveals changing face of diaspora

by Zenon Zawada
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - The changing face of the Ukrainian diaspora revealed itself at the fourth World Forum of Ukrainians held in Kyiv between August 18 and 20.

More than 3,500 participants flew to Kyiv from 40 different nations in what was, in all likelihood, the largest gathering of the Ukrainian diaspora since independence nearly 15 years ago.

The Fourth Wave diaspora used the forum as a launching pad for Nova Khvylia (New Wave), an international organization that will address their unique needs, as well as advocate their interests both in Ukraine and abroad.

"We face issues of defending the rights of our workforce immigrants, particularly those illegally abroad; social security and pension insurance issues; problems with children left behind in Ukraine to be cared for by grandparents or simply left on their own," said Oleksander Shokalo, co-chairman of Nova Khvylia, which has based its headquarters in Kyiv.

"But the main problem is returning these people to Ukraine," he continued. "It's frightful to even fathom the demographic crisis facing Ukraine. What culture can we talk about, or economic growth, when our middle class is essentially being formed abroad?"

Nova Khvylia's leaders estimate that between 7 million and 8 million Ukrainians left in the Fourth Wave of emigration, which began when Ukraine declared independence in 1991.

As a result, emigration was the leading factor in Ukraine's population plummeting by a net total of about 5.5 million during 15 years of independence.

Ukrainians living in 27 countries will comprise its membership, said Mr. Shokalo, who is also chief editor of Ukrayinskyi Svit, a cultural magazine.

Among Nova Khvylia's ambitious goals is to bring about the necessary political and economic conditions in Ukraine to allow Ukrainians to return, settle and work in their homelands.

Nova Khvylia's meetings took place under the slogan, "It's Time to Live for Ukraine," which was penned by Ivan Franko, Mr. Shokalo said.

"These anxieties that worried Franko 100 years ago remain relevant, and these problems, in essence, haven't changed," he said.

The fourth World Forum's August 18 opening ceremony began with a prayer led by Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate.

In his address, Patriarch Filaret renewed the call for the creation of a single, particular (pomisna) Ukrainian Orthodox Church to unite and strengthen the Ukrainian people both in Ukraine and abroad - a view shared by most diaspora Ukrainians who applauded his words.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko understands this need, which is why one of the main points in the Universal of National Unity is the creation of a single Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

"Unfortunately, there are forces who fear the creation of a single, particular Church more than NATO, and that's why we will plead with ... everyone, in their own place, to make their contribution for the creation of a single, particular Ukrainian Orthodox Church," the patriarch said.

While Patriarch Filaret didn't directly address the enormous influence the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) has on Ukrainian politics and culture, Askold Lozynskyj didn't pull any punches.

The president of the Ukrainian World Congress sparked a national controversy by accusing the UOC-MP of carrying out Moscow's political aims, interfering in Ukraine's elections and politics.

In its history, Muscovite special security agents infiltrated the Church's leadership and assisted in the liquidation of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, he noted.

The UOC-MP continues to attack Ukraine's religious institutions, particularly the UOC-KP and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mr. Lozynskyj continued.

"I am not against the Russian Orthodox Church or the UOC-MP, which is Ukrainian in name only," Mr. Lozynskyj said. "I am against the activities of Moscow's representatives in Ukraine."

In response to Mr. Lozynskyj's comments, the Union of Orthodox Citizens called on Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych to ban Mr. Lozynskyj from traveling to Ukraine by declaring him a persona non-grata.

"Such interference by a foreigner into the affairs of the particular Church of a sovereign nation and igniting religious strife on its territory should not be left unpunished," the union said in a statement.

Mr. Lozynskyj's criticisms, which stirred the audience to numerous rounds of applause, didn't end with the UOC-MP.

The New York City lawyer, who earned his toughness by getting into street fights as a kid, also attacked Prime Minister Yanukovych for continuing to use the Russian language in some official government activities.

He didn't spare Mr. Yushchenko either, calling him out for avoiding the August 21 ceremony marking the transfer of the Ukrainian Catholic Church's headquarters from Lviv to Kyiv.

"The president wasn't there, so as to avoid conflicting with the Moscow Patriarchate, which actively and openly fought against this celebration," he said.

Referring to Red Army veterans as cannon fodder for Joseph Stalin, Mr. Lozynskyj repeated the call for the Ukrainian government's recognition of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, whom he considers the true heroes of Ukraine.

He criticized the Ukrainian leadership for failing to get the Ukrainian Parliament to recognize UPA veterans or to declare the Holodomor a genocide.

When called to address the forum, President Yushchenko received a warm reception and a standing ovation from the audience when he approached the stage.

He directly addressed points raised both by Patriarch Filaret and Mr. Lozynskyj.

"If we are a democratic people, if we are Christians, we won't force anyone to speak Ukrainian," Mr. Yushchenko said to applause. The government has to create incentives and motivations to do that, he added.

Mr. Yushchenko said it pains him to see the division among Ukraine's Orthodox Christians.

He pointed out that at least half of Ukrainians support the idea of a single, particular Church, and only 10 percent are opposed.

Avoiding any mention of the Orange Revolution or the maidan, the president characterized the current political season in Ukraine as a process of consolidation - a term he frequently repeated - between east and west.

Ukraine will continue to develop along liberal-national principles, he said.

In defending his decision to make Mr. Yanukovych prime minister, Mr. Yushchenko said resisting the Party of the Regions would have brought Ukraine to economic collapse.

If Ukraine becomes divided, "we won't be talking about language or Church," he said. "We'll be talking about pensions and wages."

He assured the audience that Ukraine is on an irreversible course toward integration into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union.

During his address, Mr. Yushchenko began boasting of the Ukrainian economy's recent performance, which is when he ran into friction with the audience.

He cited statistics that wages increased 33 percent year-to-date.

"What about prices?" a woman shouted at him.

"Prices? Good. We have a consumer price inflation rate of 2.8 percent. If someone has a better rate, please raise your hand. In Russia, Belarus, Moldova? We have a normal, European inflation rate," he said.

Further into his speech, Mr. Yushchenko said that, more than anything, Ukraine needs political stability at this time - a statement which drew more heckling from the audience.

As he frequently does in his public appearances, Mr. Yushchenko revealed his irritation.

"Friends, let's show some correctness - the president is speaking before you," Mr. Yushchenko said, with the forum audience applauding in affirmation.

The president also called on Ukrainians to stop whimpering about their problems to other countries. "No one will help us except ourselves," he said.

Mr. Yushchenko received a standing ovation after concluding his speech.

Neither Prime Minister Yanukovych nor Verkhovna Rada Speaker Oleksander Moroz decided to attend the World Forum of Ukrainians.

Instead, Mr. Yanukovych flew to Moscow that same weekend for an unofficial visit with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

The forum's leaders did engage in closed-door meetings with Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasyuk and Dmytro Tabachnyk, the vice prime minister for humanitarian affairs.

However, participants declined to reveal what was discussed in those high-profile meetings.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, August 27, 2006, No. 35, Vol. LXXIV

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