December 16, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
UKRAINIAN CREDIT UNION HOSTS COMMUNITY MEETING WITH UWC PRESIDENT EUGENE CZOLIJ IN TORONTO
On December 8, 2011, the President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), Eugene Czolij, met the Ukrainian community at the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) of Canada centre in Toronto. The event was organized by Ukrainian Credit Union Limited (UCU), one of Canada’s largest Ukrainian credit unions.
UCU CEO Taras Pidzamecky delivered opening remarks during which he introduced Eugene Czolij to the numerous guests while recognizing UWC’s pivotal contribution to the many issues of importance to Ukrainians around the world.
Eugene Czolij informed the guests about UWC activities in support of Ukraine’s Euro integration and in defence of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Ukrainians. The UWC President emphasized the benefits of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union (EU) and the importance of initialing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement before the end of 2011. He proceeded to give examples of UWC’s work in this regard – topical presentations by the UWC leadership at international forums, written appeals by the UWC to the international community and meetings with high-ranking officials of prominent international institutions and leaders of countries which include the Ukrainian diaspora. Eugene Czolij also highlighted the significance of the European Parliament resolution of 1 December 2011 containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the negotiations of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which recommends the initialing of this agreement. He also noted the similarities between specific points of this resolution with those made in UWC appeals. The UWC President also addressed troubling events in Ukraine specifically tied to the actions of the current governing authorities. He also spoke about UWC’s work in defence of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainians in Ukraine and the diaspora, including court proceedings against political opponents in Ukraine and the pressure being exerted on the Ukrainian minority in Russia. In conclusion, Eugene Czolij emphasized that issues of mutual interest can only be achieved with the cooperation of the global Ukrainian community and he called upon the community to support the activities of the UWC. A discussion followed the presentation.
The Chairman of the UCU Board of Directors, Eugene Roman, congratulated the UWC for the scope of its work and, on behalf of Ukrainian Credit Union, he presented a cheque to the organization in the amount of $10,000. He also appealed to the Toronto Ukrainian community for an understanding of the needs of the UWC.
Taras Pidzamecky, as UNF Canada President, also pledged the organization’s support for UWC, presenting a cheque in the amount of $3,000 on behalf of UNF Canada and three UNF Branches – Toronto, Toronto West and Sudbury.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Paul Grod joined previous speakers in confirming the accomplishments of the UWC and called upon participants to join the the UWC President’s Club in 2011.
During the course of the evening the following confirmed membership in the UWC President’s Club: Taras and Ulana Pidzamecky, Eugene and Renata Roman, Zenon and Sonia Poticzny, Paul Grod, Natalia Bundza-Iwanytzkyj, Jan and Anna Iwaniura, Stefan and Miroslawa Merena, Bohdan and Miroslawa Workun, Anna Kisil and Ulana Steck.
Eugene Czolij thanked the Chairman of the UCU Board, Eugene Roman, and the CEO, Taras Pidzamecky, for a well-organized event which resulted in donations for the UWC exceeding $24,000. He also expressed gratitude to all donors and appealed to the attendees to become members of Ukrainian credit unions which, in addition to their primary role, constitute the financial backbone of Ukrainian community life.
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