Ukrainian World Coordinating Council convenes plenary session in Kyiv (12/31/95)

Ukrainian World Coordinating Council convenes plenary session in Kyiv

by Walter Sochan

KYIV - A plenary session of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council took place here on December 8-10. It was the third plenary session of the worldwide body held since its founding in August of 1992, at the time of celebrations marking the first anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

The plenary session, which was opened and conducted by Ivan Drach, head of the UWCC, was held in the premises of the former Central Rada (today the Teacher's Building). The historic building's front wall was recently decorated with a memorial plaque and its lobby with a historical mural depicting Ukrainian leaders meeting with President of Ukraine Mykhailo Hrushevsky.

Following approval of the proposed agenda and delivery of condensed reports and minutes of the UWCC's previous meetings, attention was focused on the UWCC budget. It was unanimously voted to raise the 1996 budget to $26,000.

Based on the approved budget, a very lively discussion developed on the council's aims and priorities for 1996, especially the World Forum of Ukrainians that is to be held in accordance with the by-laws every four years.

By unanimous consent it was decided to hold the World Forum of Ukrainians in August 1996 to coincide with the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and to appeal to President Leonid Kuchma for financial and moral assistance for this forum.

It was also decided to send a delegation to the president concerning this matter, as well as the need to obtain state support for Ukrainian culture, language and publications.

The large contingent of representatives of Eastern diaspora Ukrainians also received strong support for an appeal to President Kuchma regarding the need for inter-governmental actions to secure the ethnic rights of Ukrainians in Russia, comparable to the rights of the Russian minority in Ukraine.

The plenary session also approved changes to the UWCC by-laws, including provisions eliminating the limit on representatives from Ukraine and the Western and Eastern diasporas in the UWCC's governing body (previously, the limit was 14 representatives each), and extending rights to UWCC membership to various Ukrainian organizations, groups and individual benefactors. Information on the proposed amendments was provided by Askold Lozynskyj, chairman of the By-Laws Committee.

Delegates and invited guests heard extensive presentations on past and planned activities, delivered by Mr. Drach, Dmytro Cipywnyk (Ukrainian World Congress), Vasyl Babenko and other representatives of the Eastern diaspora, plus James Mace, Kostiantyn Morozov, Ihor Vynnychenko (substituting for Bohdan Horyn) and Mykhailo Slaboshpytsky.

After the conclusion of the plenary session, representatives of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council led by Mr. Drach paid a visit to President Kuchma for a brief exchange of views and delivery of the UWCC's appeal. Also present were Dr. Cipywnyk, Jaroslav Sokolyk and Mr. Lozynskyj of the Ukrainian World Congress.

President Kuchma promised to support the World Forum of Ukrainians in 1996. He also pledged to support Ukrainian language and culture in Ukraine, and the rights of Ukrainian minorities in the new independent states on the territory of the former USSR.

The UWCC plenary session was attended by 40 delegates from Ukraine and the Western and Eastern diaspora, plus over 50 guests.

Among the delegates were representatives of the Ukrainian World Congress, the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Coordinating Committee to Aid Ukraine.

| Home Page |