International delegation visits The Ukrainian Museum (04/09/06)

International delegation visits The Ukrainian Museum

by Marianna Zajac

NEW YORK - The United Nations hosted the 50th session of the Commission on the Status of Women February 27-March 10. As a former president of the National Council of Women and as president of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Iryna Kurowyckyj initiated an invitation of conference participants to a reception at The Ukrainian Museum.

The reception, boasting a wonderful international flavor, was held on the evening of February 28, co-hosted by UNWLA and the museum and sponsored by the Self Reliance New York Credit Union. The evening was a historic moment for the Ukrainian women of the metropolitan area as they welcomed representatives of the international women's movement into their midst.

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women was established in 1946; its purpose is to promote the advancement of women throughout the world. The commission focuses on measures to protect the human rights of women as well as to raise awareness about the status and situation of women around the world. From its very inception it has attracted the support and participation of the growing international women's movement.

This year's commission, as always, provided a unique venue for the exchange of international experiences and for bringing the voices of the women's movement to the United Nations.

Jointly planned by the International Council of Women and the National Council of Women of the U.S.A. and sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, the afternoon program at the United Nations on February 28 focused on "equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels."

The National Council of Women of the U.S. is the oldest non-sectarian women's voluntary coalition in America and consists of organizations dedicated to the realization of full participation by women in every aspect of society. For over 100 years the International Council of Women has brought together its affiliated national councils from all over the world and has enabled them to make themselves heard at the international level. The UNWLA is a member of the U.S. National Council and, therefore, of the International Council.

The newest member of the ICW/U.N. team is Hanya Krill, who generously prepared the invitations for this afternoon's program, as well as for the evening event which took place. A key speaker of the afternoon program was Tetiana Izhevska, head of the Department for Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation of Ukraine, who is the wife of the Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. Dr. Oleh Shamshur.

Although many receptions were slated for the conference participants for that specific evening, the reception at The Ukrainian Museum was well attended. Ms. Kurowyckyj warmly welcomed guests from New Zealand, Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland and Ethiopia, among other countries.

Also joining the diverse group of guests were Ukrainian dignitaries: Ambassador Valeriy Kuchinsky, the permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and his wife, Alla; Mykola Kyrychenko, Ukraine's consul general in New York, and his wife, Olena; Ms. Izhevska; and Larysa Polska, vice-president of the Ukrainian Women's Association Diya.

Dr. Anamah Tan of Singapore, the president of the International Council of Women.and Mary Singletary, president of the National Council of Women of the U.S.A., as well as representatives of national councils from other countries were also present.

Following her brief introduction, Mrs. Kurowyckyj introduced Maria Shust, the director of The Ukrainian Museum. The following assisted in the preparations for this unique event: Natalia Duma, Daria Genza, Maria Tomorug, Anastazia Hirniak, Jaroslawa Luchechko, Nadia Sawchuk, George and Maria Shtohryn, and Jaroslaw Kurowyckyj.

Guests were invited for a guided tour of the museum's second inaugural exhibit "The Tree of Life, The Sun, The Goddess" provided by curator Luba Wolynec. The viewers' comments were both enthusiastic and complimentary of both the exhibit and of the new museum itself.

Before the 30th Session of the General Assembly of the International Council of Women held in Perth, Australia, Mrs. Kurowyckyj, the ICW main representative to the United Nations, proposed to the National Council of Women of Ukraine that they invite the ICW to hold its 31st General Assembly in 2006 in Kyiv. Mrs. Kurowyckyj was instrumental in lobbying the assembly to support this invitation. As a result, in September of this year, Ukraine's capital will host the 31st General Assembly of the International Council of Women.

February 28 was a gratifying day that witnessed an impressive international gathering at The Ukrainian Museum that will long be remembered. Guests left with a better understanding and appreciation of the Ukrainian community and its culture, and received a glimpse of the world awaiting them in September 2006.

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