UWC delegates spotlight women’s advocacy for Ukraine at ‘Carpathian Sea’ Democracy Week Forum

TRUSKAVETS, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast – Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) delegates brought powerful stories of grassroots advocacy from Estonia and Denmark to the “Carpathian Sea” Democracy Week Forum that is ongoing.

Held in a Carpathian Mountain foothills resort, the UWC delegation included Vira Konyk, President of the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia (CUE); Lesia Ignatyk-Eriksen Head of the NGO Help Ukrainian Children; and Alla Kuchans, a member of the UWC Leadership Committee.

The forum served as Ukraine’s counterpart to Denmark’s annual Folkemødet democracy festival, as well as similar political gatherings in Sweden and Norway.

Konyk and Ignatyk-Eriksen spoke on the panel “The Female Face of Advocacy for Ukraine’s Victory” alongside prominent civil society leaders. They shared real-world examples of the role of women in international advocacy, experiences in public diplomacy, and efforts to mobilize global support for Ukraine.

Vira Konyk highlighted the work of the Ukrainian community in Estonia, including removing Russian propaganda from libraries, organizing major rallies in support of Ukraine, campaigning for Ukraine’s NATO membership, and advocating for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners.

Lesia Ignatyk-Eriksen spoke about advocacy efforts in Denmark, such as campaigns for F-16 jet deliveries, pushing for the return of deported Ukrainian children, and organizing numerous public events to support Ukraine.

The panel also featured representatives from leading Ukrainian think tanks and civil society organisations. The session was moderated by Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director of the Centre for Civil Liberties.

The UWC delegation continues its work at the forum today and will take part in a panel titled “Cultural Diplomacy During Wartime: The Art of Resisting Russian Aggression,” which will explore how art and cultural identity contribute to resisting aggression and building international solidarity.