International organization’s XI Congress held in Kyiv
KYIV – Two hundred forty-eight delegates representing 26 countries participated in the XI Ukrainian World Congress, as well as events marking the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor, in Kyiv on November 24-27.
The quinquennial congress focused on the theme of strengthening Ukrainian statehood in the wake of the threat posed by the actions of the Russian Federation for Ukraine and the entire world.
On November 28, at a press briefing about the just-concluded congress, the newly elected president and board of directors, were introduced.
UWC
The newly elected president of the UWC, Paul Grod.
Elected a day earlier were President Paul Grod, First Vice-President Stefan Romaniw, Second Vice-President Anna Kisil, Third Vice-President Andriy Futey, as well as a board of directors and an advisory committee of the UWC.
During his address at the press briefing, Mr. Grod elaborated upon his vision of the role of the diaspora in the life of Ukraine and the fundamental priorities of the newly elected leadership of the Ukrainian World Congress. His main message was the following:
• The global Ukrainian community is one of the most powerful diasporas in the world and is capable of furthering the issues of importance to Ukraine on the highest levels as a result of well-coordinated activity.
• The diaspora must have strong communities that will serve as the moral backbone for Ukraine and fight for the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state regardless of the make-up of the Ukrainian government.
• The development of strong institutions must become one of the priorities of the UWC. The establishment of Ukrainian schools, churches, cultural centers, trade and professional representations will help to prevent the loss of millions of Ukrainians outside Ukraine to assimilation.
• The 60 million Ukrainians throughout the world today are closer than ever before. Understanding unity, which is not limited by state borders, is the foundation of the modern Ukrainian identity.
• The UWC condemns the military attack of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait and demands the immediate release of Ukrainian sailors and ships, the strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation, including its removal from the SWIFT international payments system, and the rescinding of the Russian Federation’s invitation to the G-20 Summit in Argentina on November 30. The key topics discussed by the delegates to the UWC’s congress included: international support for Ukraine in the areas of economic development, defense, reforms and humanitarian aid; the role of the diaspora in furthering the positive image of Ukraine and Ukrainians in the world; furthering the consolidation of the global Ukrainian community; expanding the UWC network of organizations; and strengthening the influence of Ukrainian communities in addressing issues of importance to Ukraine at the international level.
The congress program
The program of the XI Ukrainian World Congress began on November 24, Holodomor Memorial Day. Delegates along with the state leadership of Ukraine participated in the International Forum “Ukraine Remembers – The World Acknowledges” at the National Cultural-Art Museum Complex Mystetskyi Arsenal, and lit candles of remembrance at the National Museum Holodomor Victims Memorial.
The official opening ceremony of the congress and its gala banquet took place on November 25 at the Olimpiyskyi National Sports Complex.
During the first working day of the congress, November 26, delegates heard reports from the leadership of the UWC and UWC member organizations for the period 2013-2018.
On the congress’s second day, delegates worked in thematic sessions. The congress ended with the election of a new president and leadership of the UWC for the next term.
UWC’s new president
Mr. Grod is an active leader of the Ukrainian community in Canada. For 10 years he has been president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, an organization that coordinates the work and represents the interests of one of the largest ethnocultural communities in Canada.
UWC
The new leadership of the Ukrainian World Congress, (from left) Third Vice-President Andriy Futey, First Vice-President Stefan Romaniw, President Paul Grod and Second Vice-President Anna Kisil, at a press briefing on November 28.
Mr. Grod has consistently supported Ukraine during and after the Revolution of Dignity, including a series of trips to Ukraine together with former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada John Baird in support of Ukrainians in their struggle for a European future.
He became one of 13 Canadians to be included on the sanctions list of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was banned from traveling to the Russian Federation.
Over the years of his activism, Mr. Grod has received numerous state awards from the governments of Canada and Ukraine: he was awarded the Jubilee Medal of the President of Ukraine on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. For three consecutive years he was named by Embassy Magazine and Hill Times as one of the top 100 people who most influence Canada’s global future.
He is co-founder and president of the energy company Rodan Energy Solutions that delivers intelligent energy solutions to reduce energy consumption and enhance power system reliability for industry.
The key topics discussed by the delegates to the UWC’s congress included: international support for Ukraine in the areas of economic development, defense, reforms and humanitarian aid; the role of the diaspora in furthering the positive image of Ukraine and Ukrainians in the world; furthering the consolidation of the global Ukrainian community; expanding the UWC network of organizations; and strengthening the influence of Ukrainian communities in addressing issues of importance to Ukraine at the international level.
About the UWC
The Ukrainian World Congress is the international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians. The UWC has a network of member organizations and ties with Ukrainians in 61 countries. Founded in 1967, the UWC was recognized in 2003 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status and obtained in 2018 participatory status as an international non-governmental organization with the Council of Europe.
The UWC has a network of Ukrainian member organizations in the following countries: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Switzerland, United States of America and Uzbekistan.
The UWC also has associate member organizations in Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of South Africa, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
The UWC also maintains ties with Ukrainians in the following countries: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, India, Ireland, Israel, Kyrgyz Republic, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Mozambique, Republic of South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia.
The purposes and objects of the UWC are to: promote the solidarity and represent the interests of the Ukrainian people throughout the world; foster and coordinate an international network of member organizations that support and promote the development of Ukrainian religious, linguistic, spiritual, historical, cultural, and social heritage; support the independence, territorial integrity, national identity and economic prosperity of Ukraine; strengthen the bonds of Ukrainian communities and Ukrainians in the diaspora with Ukraine, including government and civil society; secure the rights, status and interests of Ukrainians and Ukrainian communities, and to defend them wherever they are denied, violated or threatened; promote democracy and human rights around the world, including monitoring democratic processes such as elections and referendums; and cooperate with governments, nations, organizations, and individuals, to accomplish the above goals in the spirit of peace, freedom, equality and justice.