January 21, 2017

2016: Our Ukrainian diaspora: unity around the globe

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Participants of the annual general meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress held in Kyiv.

Unity was the key word for 2016 in our Ukrainian diaspora. On February 20, Ukraine’s Day of Commemoration of the Heroes of the Heavenly Brigade, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress spoke for Ukrainians worldwide when it said:

Participants of the annual general meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress held in Kyiv on August 25-27.

UWC

Participants of the annual general meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress held in Kyiv on August 25-27.

“Today, the Ukrainian Canadian community joins our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and around the world in commemorating the memory and heroism of all those who paid the ultimate price in the battle for a free and democratic Ukraine. From November 2013 to February 2014 the citizens of Ukraine took to the streets to protest against the corrupt, authoritarian regime of former President Viktor Yanukovych. On the Maidan in Kyiv (Independence Square), and on city squares throughout the country, the people of Ukraine claimed their unalienable right to liberty and justice. Their demand of their government was simple – to be treated with Dignity. The brave demonstrators were met with state-ordered violence and in February 2014, the regime opened fire against its own people.

“Over 100 people – the Heavenly Hundred [Heavenly Brigade] – gave their lives so that the people of Ukraine can live in dignity with a government that respects their human rights. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. The victory of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity will forever stand as an example to us all of courage, determination and unity. …Today, as we honor the Heavenly Hundred, we also pay tribute to the thousands of Ukrainians who have fallen or been wounded as a result of Russia’s invasion and the tens of thousands that are today risking their lives fighting to protect Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.”

Next, when Nadiya Savchenko on March 3 declared a hunger strike – her seventh such hunger strike since she was taken into Russian custody in July 2014 – after the judge in the Russian court where she was being tried denied her the opportunity to deliver a final statement, our diaspora communities sprang into action. March 9, the day her trial was to resume, was proclaimed a Global Day of Support for Nadiya Savchenko. Demonstrations in support of Ms. Savchenko were held not just in her beloved Ukraine, but also in Russia, Canada, the United States, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, England, Egypt, Malta, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, Israel, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Georgia, Australia, Cyprus, Uruguay, Argentina, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Norway, Romania, and, no doubt, other countries – a true worldwide movement.

There was also a worldwide campaign to send birthday greetings to the imprisoned Ms. Savchenko as she marked her 35th birthday on May 11. It was the second year she celebrated her birthday behind bars, and the second time Ukrainians around the world sent her birthday cards with simple, non-political messages (otherwise, her lawyers advised, the mail would be confiscated by Russian authorities and would not react her). Ms. Savchenko’s birthday was the focus of gatherings in various cities. In Kyiv, lanterns were set aloft in order to, as Vira Savchenko said, light her sister’s way home. In Riga, the capital of Latvia, 35 blue and yellow balloons, with birthday messages written on them, were released into the air. In Paris, a group of Ukrainians got together to sing a rousing “Mnohaya Lita” and posted video of this greeting on Facebook. Vira Savchenko shared news of these public celebrations on her Facebook page.

To be sure, there were also numerous public expressions of support from diaspora Ukrainians for other citizens of Ukraine held as Vladimir Putin’s hostages. Among them were filmmaker Oleh Sentsov and Oleksander Kolchenko, who were tried as “terrorists” and back in August 2015 were sentenced to 20 and 10 years, respectively. In addition, according to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, many Crimean Tatars were being held in Russian-occupied Crimea and were falsely accused of being involved in a terrorist group. And then there were POWs captured by Russia and its “separatist” collaborators.

Delegates at the worldwide Conference of Ukrainian Plast Organizations convened in Kyiv on August 22-26.

KUPO

Delegates at the worldwide Conference of Ukrainian Plast Organizations convened in Kyiv on August 22-26.

Ukrainian diaspora organizations, led by the Ukrainian World Congress, combined efforts to call on the international community to secure the release of all Ukrainian political prisoners illegally detained by Russian authorities. They also urged Ukrainians around the globe to take up the cause by contacting their elected officials. Acting in support of an October 5 appeal by the Parliament of Ukraine, the UWC urged the international community, including human rights organizations, to assist with efforts to secure the release of all Ukrainian citizens held by Russian authorities. Similar appeals and statements were issued by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations.

There were worldwide expressions of solidarity on Ukraine’s official Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide, marked on May 18. The UCCA and the UCC joined the UWC and the government of Ukraine in remembering the forcible deportation of over 230,000 Crimean Tatars from their Crimean homeland to the Soviet east and the deaths of over 100,000 of them during this genocidal act of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the regime of Joseph Stalin in 1944. “This Sürgün, or ‘violent expulsion,’ remains hidden in the annals of 20th century atrocities,” the UCCA stated. The UCC noted, “Today the Ukrainian Canadian community stands in solidarity with the Crimean Tatar People who mark the anniversary of the mass deportation from their ancestral homeland by the totalitarian regime of Joseph Stalin. The entire Crimean Tatar people, the indigenous people of Crimea, were exiled to the Soviet east in 1944. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were forcibly and violently deported – almost half lost their lives during the first year of exile – for no crime other than their language, culture and traditions. They were not allowed to return to Crimea for almost 50 years.”

Mark Howansky, president of the U.S.-based Organization for the Defense of Lemkivshchyna, rings the peace bell to honor victims of Akcja “Wisła” on July 22 in Zdynia, Poland, where the 34th Lemko Vatra was held.


Sofiya Fedyna

Mark Howansky, president of the U.S.-based Organization for the Defense of Lemkivshchyna, rings the peace bell to honor victims of Akcja “Wisła” on July 22 in Zdynia, Poland, where the 34th Lemko Vatra was held.


As the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of Ukraine’s independence was celebrated, community leaders in the United States, Canada and Australia, and the leader of the Ukrainian World Congress, Eugene Czolij, shared their thoughts on the significant milestone with The Weekly in its issues dated August 21 and 28.

Mr. Czolij wrote: “The 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora led by the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) joins the people of Ukraine in marking the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine as proclaimed on 24 August 1991 – a day that saw the fulfillment of the dreams of so many who had dedicated their lives to this goal and a day that offered hope and promise to future Ukrainian generations. Over the course of 25 years we have watched the rebirth of a nation that not only removed the shackles of oppression, but shattered them into pieces, ensuring that they can never again be used to deny our people their freedom, their aspirations or fundamental human rights. The UWC – with its member organizations and global network today spanning 50 countries – has stood with the people of Ukraine at every stage of this often tumultuous journey. There was no greater unifying moment for the Ukrainian diaspora than the proclamation of Ukrainian independence, which resulted in the fall of the Soviet Union.”

The personalized stamp marking the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence that was released in Australia by the Ukrainian Collectibles Society. The design is by Tamara Jakovlev.

UCS

The personalized stamp marking the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence that was released in Australia by the Ukrainian Collectibles Society. The design is by Tamara Jakovlev.

Referring to the “harsh realities of the events that have transpired in Ukraine since November 2013, including the Revolution of Dignity, the illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and its ongoing armed invasion of eastern Ukrainian territories,” Mr. Czolij stated: “The UWC, with the support of Ukrainians worldwide and in cooperation with the governing authorities and civil society of Ukraine, has worked determinedly to keep the international community – including national governments, the United Nations, European Union, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO and human rights monitoring organizations – engaged, informed and active in the defense of Ukraine’s freedom and territorial integrity.”

On the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, several international Ukrainian organizations held meetings and conferences in Kyiv. The Ukrainian World Congress convened its annual general meeting in Ukraine’s capital on August 25-27, with 184 delegates and guests from 26 countries present, while the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations held its annual meeting on August 21-23, with 18 delegates and nine official guests representing WFUWO member organizations, as well as representatives of women’s organizations of Ukraine in attendance.

The UWC meeting was addressed by, among others, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy, Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyschuk, Acting Minister of Health of Ukraine Dr. Ulana Suprun, and National Deputies Refat Chubarov, Valeriy Patskan and Ivan Krulko. UWC President Czolij delivered an address highlighting the main aspects of the work done and the key priorities for the Ukrainian diaspora led by the UWC, which were focused on assisting Ukraine in the defense of its independence and territorial integrity. Over the course of three days, reports on UWC activities from the past year and future plans were discussed during five roundtables: “Coordinating Support for Ukraine,” “UWC Humanitarian Initiatives in Aid of Ukraine,” “Promoting a Positive Image of Ukraine,” “Celebrating the UWC’s 50th Anniversary” and “Supporting the Economic Development of Ukraine.”

Taking advantage of their stay in Ukraine in August, leaders of the UCCA and the UWC had a packed schedule of meetings with members of the Verkhovna Rada, Cabinet ministers and the new U.S. envoy to Ukraine, Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch. The newly elected president of the UCCA, Andriy Futey, and his predecessor, Tamara Olexy, joined the UWC delegation at a signing ceremony with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ukrainian World Congress. UWC delegates also participated in a special evening celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day organized by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv.

The WFUWO, which encompasses 30 national organizations in 20 countries, reported on its multifaceted work, including support for the people of Ukraine during this time of war, that comprises financial aid; support for the troops; aid to families, children and women; and assistance to survivors of war. Also notable were reports on the federation’s work with United Nations bodies, both in New York and in Geneva; and a presentation on “The Role of Women in Contemporary Ukraine.”

Dr. Lyudmila Porokhniak Hanovska, president of the National Council of Women of Ukraine (NCWU), honored the president of the WFUWO, Orysia Sushko, the presidents of WFUWO member organizations, its main representatives to the U.N., representatives of women’s organizations in Ukraine and the administrator of the WFUWO with the NCWU Order of Peace and Love.

Also in Kyiv at the time of Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations was the Conference of Ukrainian Plast Organizations (known by its Ukrainian-based acronym as KUPO), the body uniting Plast groups worldwide, which convened on August 22-26. More than 100 delegates and guests arrived from Australia, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Ukraine, which boasted the largest delegation. Discussions at the 19th conference of the international body focused on a plan of action for the next three-year term of the World Plast Executive. Among the topics covered: changes to the by-laws of KUPO, the next International Plast Jamboree scheduled for 2017 in Germany, and the development of Plast in more countries where Ukrainians now reside.

On the eve of the KUPO gathering, Plast leaders appeared at a news briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Marta Kuzmowycz, chief executive officer of the World Plast Executive, underscored that the organization is adapting to new circumstances in the countries where it is active, while staying true to its ideals and its primary purpose of educating future leaders in a Ukrainian spirit. Stanislav Andriychuk of Plast in Ukraine reported that there are currently some 7,000 members in Ukraine. The national leadership of the organization, which was reborn in Ukraine 25 years ago, hopes to reach a membership that would encompass 10 percent of the youth of Ukraine by the year 2035.

Greetings to KUPO delegates were offered by special guests, among them Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk, a member of Plast; the president of the Ukrainian World Congress, Mr. Czolij; and Cardinal and Major Archbishop emeritus Lubomyr Husar, a fellow Plast scout. Delegates voted on a new World Plast Executive, re-electing Ms. Kuzmowycz of the United States as CEO. Volodymyr Bazarko (U.S.) was elected to chair the World Plast Supervisory Board.

In Australia, the Ukrainian Collectibles Society commemorated the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence by releasing an Australian personalized stamp, a first day cover and a postcard. Designed by Adelaide graphic designer Tamara Jakovlev, the image depicts a young girl and boy holding hands while dancing, highlighting the joyous spirit of Ukrainian traditions. On the back of the first day cover, the wording of the 1991 Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine is reproduced.

Later in the year, on November 1, the Ukrainian World Congress president met with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv to discuss joint efforts dedicated primarily to furthering the ratification by the Netherlands of the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement; the imperativeness of pressuring the Russian Federation to comply with the Minsk agreements and renewing economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with them; the deployment by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe of a police mission in eastern Ukraine to enhance compliance of the Russian Federation with the Minsk agreements; the implementation of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens traveling to EU member states taking into account the fulfillment by Ukraine of all criteria; international support for the U.N. General Assembly resolution on the human rights violations in Crimea, as initiated by Ukraine; the importance of a Tomos of Autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate; and UWC support for the economic development of Ukraine. The UWC delegation also included Vice-President and Chair of the UWC Committee in Support of the Economic Development of Ukraine Olena Koszarny and Director of the UWC Mission to Ukraine Serhiy Kasyanchuk. In support of the UWC initiative, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America penned a letter to Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands to urge ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

Soon thereafter, on November 19, the UWC called for worldwide support of the campaign “Condemn Russia’s Crimes in Ukraine and Syria.” The UWC stated: “Emboldened by some wavering on the part of the international community regarding sanctions against the Russian Federation in response to its illegal occupation of Crimea and hybrid war on the territory of Eastern Ukraine, the Russian Federation continues to escalate its military involvement in the war in Ukraine and Syria in an effort to continue bolstering its imperialist ambitions. It is critical for the international community to understand the parallels between the Russian Federation’s military actions in Ukraine and Syria, including the indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians, humanitarian aid convoys and hospitals. The UWC calls upon its network of community organizations to support the media campaign launched by the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine titled ‘Condemn Russia’s Crimes in Ukraine and Syria’ designed to reinforce the message that Russian aggression endangers peace and stability in the world.”

Participants of the third conference of Ukrainian Journalists of North America, held on May 20-22 at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

Daria Kish

Participants of the third conference of Ukrainian Journalists of North America, held on May 20-22 at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

In other diaspora news, the professional organization Ukrainian Journalists of North America (UJNA) held its third conference at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y., on May 20-22. The event brought together a group of journalists from the United States and Canada who represented various news media outlets, print, broadcast and online, as well as the Washington-based Voice of America, the Washington correspondent of the TV channel Ukrayina and free-lance writers. Elected to lead the UJNA for the next two years was Jurij R. Klufas of Toronto.

The conference’s keynote speaker was to be Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, but he sent word that he would be unable to attend and forwarded a message to the UJNA in which he underscored that “journalism is a key factor in the development of democracy.” He cited the ongoing information war by the Kremlin against Ukraine, and underscored that it is journalists “who are the main defenders of our freedom on the information front, a firm foundation of the Ukrainian struggle in this hybrid war.” The ambassador concluded: “I expect that we, Ukrainian diplomats, together with you, journalists, will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we bring the truth to the world until Ukraine’s final victory over aggression, evil and falsehood.”

A presentation on the topic “Looking Ahead to the 25th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence” by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko opened the conference proceedings. He began his remarks by observing that many Ukrainians in Ukraine once had a faulty image of the Ukrainian diaspora but now understand that it comprises hard-working people who were brought up to understand that they should help Ukraine in any way possible. Yesterday’s simple packages of goods (known as “banderoli”) for one’s family in Ukraine have now evolved into serious support for Ukraine’s armed forces fighting in the country’s east. Mr. Shevchenko noted that the greatest challenges for Ukraine today are corruption and the war in the country’s east, as well as Russia’s ongoing hybrid war against Ukraine and the West. Therefore it is most important to fight disinformation and to continue to inform governments about the truth.

The 34th Lemko Vatra took place in Zdynia, Poland, on July 22-24. At the same time, the Presidium of the World Federation of Ukrainian Lemko Associations held its meeting, led by President Sofiya Fedyna. In attendance were Lemko leaders from Poland (Stefan Klapyk, Emil Hojsak), Serbia (Bogdan Vilavski, Joachim Hrubenya, Velemyr Paplatsko), Croatia (Zvonko Kostelnik), Slovakia (Petro Sokol, Ivan Laba), Ukraine (Stefan Krynytsky, Stefan Majkovich, Mykola Vovk, Ihor Duda) and Canada (Andriy Rotko), as well as the president of the Organization for the Defense of Lemkivshchyna in the United States, Mark Howansky, who shared his reflections on visiting Lemkivshchyna and his reactions to those events in The Weekly’s September 4 issue. He noted that the next congress of Lemko associations will be held in Zymna Voda (near Lviv), Ukraine, in late August 2017.

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