SYDNEY – Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod on March 10 met with Stephen Kamper, the Minister for Multiculturalism of the Australian state of New South Wales, the island country’s most populous state, during his visit to Australia.
Their discussion focused on supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian community.
Camper reaffirmed Australia’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine as it withstands an ongoing full-blown Russian invasion that has entered its fourth year and what is Europe’s bloodiest war since World War II.
The state government has made significant contributions to assist Ukrainian refugees, including a $500,000 aid package and initiatives such as UkiFest 2022 and 2024. Nearly 20,000 refugees have fled Russia’s war to Australia.
Camper said he is working on creating a permanent residency permit for Ukrainians forced to flee the country due to the war. The meeting also explored the potential for establishing sister-city partnerships between Australian cities and those in Ukrainian regions, particularly in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson.
UWC President Paul Grod expressed gratitude to the Australian government for its unwavering support and emphasized a shared stance on continued assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the context of post-war reconstruction
Estimates by many analysts and international institutions to rebuild Ukraine vary and are between $600 billion and $1 trillion.
The discussion also addressed the threat posed by Russian disinformation, external influence, and the incitement of hatred by Russia.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, one of the most respected Australian media outlets, President Grod called on Australia and other nations to strengthen their support for Ukraine. He specifically urged them to join the “coalition of the willing,” an informal alliance of Ukraine’s partners proposed as a military-political framework at the London summit.
“That it is in Australia’s best interest to be part of this coalition because a friend in need is a friend in need,” Grod said.
Grod spoke at a pro-Ukrainian demonstration in Sydney on March 8.
Among those joining him were Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, UWC Vice President for Southern and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye, and Lebanon, and Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations and a UWC Board of Directors member.
The rally reinforced the importance of supporting Ukraine.
President Grod officially opened the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) Museum in Australia on March 9, established to commemorate 75 years of the youth development and scouting group’s activities in Australia and 100 years of CYM globally.
The opening ceremony took place after the Divine Liturgy and Panakhyda, honoring the CYM members who, over the past 75 years, have helped develop this remarkable Ukrainian youth organization in Australia.
On the same day, Grod also gave an interview to multi-cultural public broadcaster SBS Ukrainian, where he discussed global Ukrainian identity and what it means to be a Ukrainian, as well the challenges they face around the world.
President Grod also participated in a special CYM event – the CYM XIII Zdvyh Gala evening – where he addressed the attendees with a speech.
