Three Vice Presidents of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) took part in a panel discussion titled, Ukrainian Communities Abroad: Resilience, Growth, and Progress.
The various topics covered included changes in Ukrainian communities abroad due to Russia’s invasion, the impact of refugees on the growth dynamics of Ukrainian organizations, the creation of new communities, and the interaction between established and new organizations.
The UWC leadership was represented by Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, UWC Vice President for Oceania and Asia; Jorge Danylyszyn, Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress for South America, Chairman of the Board of the “Prosvita” Ukrainian Cultural Association in Argentina; and Yevheniy Semenov, UWC Vice President for Middle East and Central Asia.
“Ukrainian communities abroad, especially in such a challenging region as South and Southeast Asia, are currently young and small, but they represent a powerful intellectual resource to rely on in advocacy for Ukraine, utilizing the knowledge and historical experience of these countries in parallels with Ukrainian history, thereby fostering empathy and understanding of the current realities in Ukraine and countering the Russian aggressor,” said Poshyvaylo-Towler.
Semenov emphasized the importance of providing vital explanatory information among Ukrainian communities in the region and those who have fled Ukraine after February 24, 2022.
This outreach should focus on Ukrainian national activities abroad and explain how they differ from civic activism.
“One of the key elements of the strategy for Ukrainian communities is cohesion and mutual support. We must realize that our success depends on unity,” Semenov said.
Yevheniy Semenov joined the event online. Photo: Yevheniy Semenov
Lyuba Lyubchyk, UWC’s International Educational Coordinating Council (IECC) Chair, appeared in person at the discussion offline.
“The global Ukrainian community is growing, developing, and changing – strengthening. An important factor and the backbone of a strong Ukrainian world is the collective awareness of unity and togetherness,” she said. “Only a united and cohesive Ukrainian community abroad can effectively and productively defend Ukraine’s interests in the world and promote Ukrainian culture. Unity and togetherness are about victory in the broadest sense.”
The event also featured a speech by Andriy Shevchenko, Head of the UWC Mission to Ukraine.
Cover: Lyuba Lyubchyk
