November 5, 2023, Toronto – New York – Brussels – Kyiv.
The President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), Paul Grod, has announced the appointment of Andriy Shevchenko as Head of the UWC Mission to Ukraine. The overall goal is to strengthen the cooperation of the global Ukrainian community with the Ukrainian authorities, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, international partners, and the broader Ukrainian community.
“At the XII Congress of the UWC, we identified strategic priorities for our work. These priorities include bringing Victory closer, rebuilding Ukraine, and building a strong Ukrainian world. We continue to develop our global initiatives, Unite with Ukraine and EnergizeUkraine, designed to assist Ukrainian defenders and citizens of Ukraine in the most difficult times of war. Currently, the Ukrainian World Congress is focusing on political advocacy and coalition building with governments in countries of residence to strengthen Ukraine’s voice and influence in the world. Enhancing the effectiveness of UWC advocacy, government relations, and close cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities are the challenges facing the newly appointed Head of the UWC Mission to Ukraine,” emphasized Paul Grod.
“Today, we see new challenges that are increasingly acute for Ukraine and Ukrainians – a more complex global context, Russian attempts to undermine the international coalition in support of Ukraine, and the urgent military needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The UWC will be at the forefront of supporting Ukraine both in the international arena and in the defense and rebuilding of Ukraine,” summarized the UWC President.
In Ukraine, Andriy Shevchenko is recognized for his multifaceted roles as a journalist, community advocate, politician, and diplomat. Until September 2023, Mr. Shevchenko served as Deputy Minister of Defense, coordinating the work of the Ministry of Defense in matters of military diplomacy, NATO, the EU, and international military assistance. Previously, he served as an Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada and a member of the Ukrainian Parliament.
“The war has touched every Ukrainian heart – regardless of where it beats,” says Andriy Shevchenko. “The UWC is doing tremendous work in support of the Ukrainian cause. It will be a great honor for me to join and help ensure that the Ukrainian community – both in Ukraine and beyond – works together for Victory,” concluded the newly appointed Head of the UWC Mission to Ukraine.
Andriy Shevchenko will have the support of a strong team of professionals in Kyiv, including Serhiy Kasyanchuk, Director of the UWC Mission to Ukraine since 2014; Olha Fediuk, Director of Communications; Tymish Martynenko-Kushliansky, Senior Political Advisor; Olha Domanska, Communications Coordinator and Mariia Balanovych, Organizational Coordinator. Additionally, the UWC Mission to Ukraine will lend its support to pivotal UWC projects, specifically, the Unite with Ukraine initiative spearheaded by Director Andrew Potichnyj and the Energize Ukraine platform overseen by Director Yarema Kovaliv.
FOR REFERENCE: On October 22, the XII Congress of the UWC elected new leadership headed by President Paul Grod. For over 55 years, the Ukrainian World Congress has represented the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians living outside of Ukraine in 70 countries.
The UWC is recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status and has the status of an international non-governmental organization with the Council of Europe.
The primary objective of the UWC currently is to unite and rally global support for Ukraine while actively advocating for Ukrainian interests on the international stage.
