On International Children’s Day, Ukrainian communities worldwide backed the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) initiative, calling for immediate support to equip Ukraine with enhanced air defense systems to safeguard children by protecting the skies.
Ukrainians in Australia led the advocacy for this cause. “Don’t stand aside – protect Ukrainian skies, save Ukrainian children,” implored the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).
The AFUO organized flashmobs on June 1. Children wore embroidered shirts and held umbrellas, symbolizing protection from Russia’s daily missile attacks across Ukraine. The flashmobs took place in Ukrainian schools throughout Australia, including at the Ukrainian Parish School in North Melbourne.
Ukrainians in Hungary organized a performance to call for the protection of Ukrainian children and the closure of the sky. “Our goal is to draw the world’s attention, especially in Budapest, to the fact that there is a cruel war in Ukraine, that children suffer first and foremost, that Russia is a vile enemy that not only kills civilians but also kidnaps children and abuses them in the occupied territories. And we are obliged to draw attention to this,” sthe Chair of WFUWO, Second Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress, Jaroszlava Hartyányi, in an interview with Yedyni Novyny [“United News”] Ukrainian national telethon.
The Association of Ukrainians in France and French government officials and local MPs held a march in Paris. Approximately 150 people walked from Place de la République to Place de la Bastille under the slogan “Save Ukrainian children,” as reported by Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President for Western Europe and Vice President of the Association of Ukrainians in France, in an interview with Yedyni Novyny [“United News”] Ukrainian national telethon.
“We have two major demands: to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems to close the sky over Ukraine. Why close the sky over Ukraine? Because this is how we can primarily save the lives of our Ukrainian children. Secondly, we demand the return of Ukrainian children from the territory of Russia, which is over 20,000 children,” said Kogutyak.
Rallies were also held in the Spanish city of Bilbao. “We call on friends around the world to demand that their governments increase support for Ukraine, so that Ukrainian allies fulfill their previous commitments and provide air defense systems!” emphasized the Bilbao community.
A rally calling for the protection of Ukrainian children also took place in Berlin.
On the International Day for Protection of Children, Ukrainians in Estonia marched through the streets of Tallinn with posters saying “Save Kids of Ukraine” in Ukrainian, Estonian, and English. “The International Day for Protection of Children is the day when Ukrainians must remind the world community that children in Ukraine are in constant danger,” said Vira Konyk, the Head of the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia.
Ukrainians in New Zealand, the Mahi For Ukraine organization, also joined the initiative. “The New Zealand government can play a key role in supporting the call to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems, which is crucial for maintaining long-term peace, protecting vulnerable populations, and upholding international law. Timely actions will help ensure the safety of Ukrainian children and contribute to global efforts to end the war based on justice and respect for international law,” emphasized the community. The rally took place in Auckland.
The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) urgently appeals to the governments of democratic nations worldwide to provide air defense and missile defense systems to Ukraine. These systems are crucial for safeguarding civilian populations, particularly children, from Russian daily deadly missile strikes, thereby protecting their lives and health.
