CUPP Newsletter 2001 Spring Edition HISTORY OF CUPP Ukraine Parliamentary Program for undergraduate university students from On July 16"'. 1990 the Ukrainian Ukraine. Parliament adopted the Declaration of Sovereignt>', which declared that Parliament The Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary recognized the need to build the Ukrainian Program gives Ukrainian students an state based on the Rule Law. On August opportunity to work and study in the 24'", 1991 the Ukrainian Parliament adopted Canadian Parliament, and gain experience the Declaration of Independence endorsed in from which generations of Canadian, the referendum of December U, 1991. American and West European students have benefited. On the basis of academic Also in 1991. Canadians celebrated excellence, knowledge of the English or the Centennial of Ukrainian group French and Ukrainian languages, and an immigration to Canada. To mark the interest in the parliamentary system of Centennial, organizations planned programs government, undergraduate university- and projects to celebrate this milestone in students from Ukraine can apply for a CUPP Canada's history. scholarship. It is hoped that CUPP will contribute to the education of future leaders The Chair of Ukrainian Studies of Ukraine. Foundation of Toronto decided to mark the Centennial by establishing the Canada- •m^TlSBJ C UPP 2001 Group with Program Director Ihor W. Bardyn (far right) and Father Roman Galadza (center) in Toronto. Canada - Ukraine Parliamentary Program 1 CUPP Newsletter 2001 Spring 1-diHioii CUPP Family is Growing "Democracy is the worst system of Sixteen undergraduate university government except for students and four Ukrainian coordinators the others" (last year's CUPP alumni) came to Canada this year to work on Parliament Hill as Winston Churchill interns. Each Ukrainian intern worked in the office of an MP who had kindly agreed to "1 wish my father were alive to see host a summer student. the accomplishments of the Ukrainian community in Canada", said Ramon The interns worked with their Hnatyshyn, May 25, 2001, at the annual respective MP's for two months and returned meeting with the CUPP participants. to Ukraine afterwards to promote democratic refonns in their own country. It is believed While looking through the window that the experience that they gained during of "Cowlings Lafleur Henderson", Ramon their stay in Canada will become valuable Hnatyshyn reminisces about his past. The and useful in their pursuit of political or architecture of Rideau Hall brings him back other careers. to the most compelling time of serving as Governor General for 5 years. Parliament Tliis is the ll"' year of Canada- Hill reminds him of the active political life Ukraine Parliamentary Program and the during his 14 years in the House of family of CUPPers is constantly growing. Commons. He stands up and approaches the The group of 2001 consisted of 16 open- opposite window pointing to the West. He minded and goal oriented young people suddenly plunges into the sweet memories of from all over Ukraine. The Chair of his childhood in the prairies of Ukrainian Studies Foundation conducted the Saskatchewan. Then downloading several selection process in a way, so that most of Ukrainian sites, he relishes the beauty of the the regions of Ukraine would be represented. historic Bukovyna area, which gave birth to Many of the interns came from Western his father in 1907. Ukraine, especially from L'viv. The rest were from Kyiv, Luhans'k, Odesa, Crimea, A two-month old Ivan (John) was Dnipropetrov'sk, Donetsk and Poltava. brought by his mother to Canada, where they joined their father Michael who left Prior to their arrival in Ottawa, beforehand to land one of those homesteads CUPP 2001 group had an orientation session on the vast territories of Canada. His in Toronto where they met with the grandparents moved to Canada along with Ukrainian community in Canada. The group the first wave of immigration from Eastern stayed at St. Vladimir institute for a week Europe. Ramon Hnatyshyn recalls his where they were able to get acquainted with father's decision of obtaining education with prominent Canadian Ukrainians. great reverence. He to a large extent attributes his personal career success to his All of the Ukrainian interns are very father, who graduated from Law School and happy to receive this unique opportunity started practicing law in 1932 to eventually which The Chair of Ukrainian Studies become the first Ukrainian-bom and first Foundation had granted them. They are all senator from Saskatoon. Ramon Hnatyshyn convinced that this Program has to continue regrets his father passing away too early to and the family of CUPPers has to grow. see the achievements of his talented Canada - Ukraine Parliamentary Program CUPP Newsletter 2001 Spring Ixiilion offspring. reform and current precarious political and economic situation. Can you confirm this? On May 25, 2001 participants of the Does the same feeling prevail in the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program had prominent Ukrainian-Canadian circles? an opportunity to meet an extremely fascinating and interesting personality of the Ramon Hnatyshyn: 1 think that there is still Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, a great interest after some serious P.C, C.C, C.M.M, CD., Q.C. He was very disappointment. It is tme that many attempts kind to set aside one hour and a half out of of investment in Ukraine have failed. his busy schedule to answer the questions However, there is still an influential group of that followed after an introductory speech. people working on that but not as many as before. Ukraine's emergence as an Vasyl Myroshnychenko: To what extent independent state was a dream that came have you been involved in forming Canada's true. There was a big influx of people who policy towards Ukraine while being the came to visit their relatives in the early 90's. Governor General? They could not see them for so long. 1 guess that now people are more realistic. If people Ramon Hnatyshyn: 1 believe that the fact see a tangible way in Ukraine's improvement that Canada was the first Western country to and building of infrastructure, they'll surely recognize Ukraine was not accidental. And come back. the reason for that is that Canada recognized the contribution of the Ukrainian community Ulyana Khromyak: Could you please name to the Canadian heritage far before Ukraine the outstanding Ukrainian-Canadians on proclaimed its independence. Though the Parliament Hill? position of the Governor General is quite symbolic, 1 had a chance to meet with the Ramon Hnatyshyn: During my term in the Prime Minister formally at least every three House of Commons there were about 20 weeks. As well I had meetings with he Ukrainian MP's. Now I can mention just a deputy External Minister, so 1 should admit few: Walter Lastewka, M.P., and Senator that I was consulted by them in many cases Andreychuk. The list is diminishing. on the issue of Ukraine. Alex Sahadosh: Mr. Hnatyshyn, 1 have OIha Babych: What is the most important more of a geopolitical question. Even after feature for the Ukrainian leader? the collapse of the Iron Curtain there are still some tensions between Russia and the West. Ramon Hnatyshyn: President Kuchma now Since V. Putin came to power, the economy has to make a tough decision who to face; started rolling, and Russia is no longer East or West. A Ukrainian leader has to learn taking any loans from the IMF or World to make decisions in the process of Bank, but instead is paying off its debts. Do institution building, which will provide the you think there might be another polarization confidence for investment. He has to of the world, and what would be the role of understand that the rule of law is essential Ukraine in this case? for making a difference. Ramon Hnatyshyn: As far as 1 know Vasyl Myroshnychenko: The influential Russia is still taking loans from the World magazine "The Economist" has published an Bank. President Putin said he wishes to article earlier this year about the crisis of the make the economy more transparent. In fact, Ukrainian Diaspora provoked by their I had a meeting with him not long ago. disappointment with Ukraine's lack of Russia's economy is moving upward, which Canada - Ukraine Parliamentary Program 3 CUPP Newsletter 2001 Spring Ediiion is a good thing and indeed Ukraine "nation-state" concept was substituted with experienced something like a 6% growth the concept of cohabitation of the last year. As 1 already mentioned Ukraine ethnicities. It has proved to be even more will play the key role in this region. Today it viable than the American melting pot is dependent on Russia (energy system, concept The main distinguishing feature of investments). Now the main question for multiculturalism is the fact that it offers Ukraine to answer is 'Does it want to be every citizen a chance to develop his or her really independent, like Poland for heritage and culture instead of 'melting' into example'? a new nation and renouncing who he or she originally was. Canada has become the first By Vasyl Myroschnychenko country to figure out that this concept would conquer the world. In the era of Canada: a Country of Tolerance, globalization, when time and distance are no Cohabitation, and Openness longer real obstacles, where information has become the main product in the market, According to the UN Annual where military force is not omnipotent Reports, Canada is recognized to be 'the anymore, the only thing that really matters is most desired country to live in'. Every year cultural identity. more and more immigrants come to this country from all over the world. Why Let us investigate more of this topic.