winter 2019 bulletin revised.qxp_Layout 1 2019-11-25 1:55 PM Page 1 Supported by the UCC Charitable & Educational Trust NEWSLETTER Winter 2020 БЮЛЕТЕНЬ Зима Historic XXVI Triennial Congress held in Ottawa From November 1‐3, 2019, over 300 delegates and guests gathered in Ottawa for the historic XXVI Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians. The theme of the Congress – Share Your Vision, Build Our Future! – provided the inspiration for the gathering of representatives of Ukrainian Canadian organizations from coast to coast – Halifax, NS to Victoria, BC – which set the direction and elected the leadership of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) for the next three years. Honourable Chrystia Freeland Delegates of the XXVI Triennial Congress The Congress began with an address to the delegates from “It is both a tremendous honour and an enormous the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Minister of responsibility to lead one of the most dynamic and diverse Foreign Affairs, who spoke passionately about her ethnocultural communities in Canada,” stated Chyczij. Ukrainian Canadian roots, Canada’s bilateral relationship “The vision for the future shared by the delegates these with Ukraine and the Government of Canada’s continuing last three days is one of a vibrant, forward‐looking commitment to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial Ukrainian Canadian Congress that is responsive to the integrity and independence. needs of our community. I am certain that together we Alexandra Chyczij was unanimously re‐elected President will ensure that this vision becomes a reality!” of the UCC. Chyczij thanked the newly‐elected UCC Board Resolutions adopted by the Congress, videos of plenary of Directors for their commitment to serving the Ukrainian sessions and keynote addresses and reports delivered to Canadian community. the Congress are available on the UCC website. ukrcancongress Join the #KoliadaCampaign online! Follow us @ukrcancongress ukrcancongress 1 1 winter 2019 bulletin revised.qxp_Layout 1 2019-11-25 1:55 PM Page 2 Merry Christmasand Христос Рождається! MESSAGE FROM UCC CEO 2019 has been a very productive year for UCC and for me personally. I marked my third anniversary with UCC this September and it continues to be a pleasure to serve our community and work with our donors, volunteers and supporters across Canada! We were excited to organize the XXVI Triennial Congress, which brought together hundreds of delegates, many of them youth, from across Canada to Ottawa in November. The program was packed with informative and educational Alexandra Chyczij introduces UCC National staff at the Triennial Congress discussions, workshops and keynote speakers. I want to extend a special thank you to our UCC Ottawa branch, Dzherelo Children’s including President Borys Gengalo, who led a strong PROFILE Rehabilitation Centre volunteer team, and to Ann Szyptur who expertly guided the organization of the Congress. Following Canada’s federal election, we are reaching out to new Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament to ensure that they are well informed on our community priorities, including strong support for Ukraine. We will also announce details of the 2020 UCC Parliamentary Internship Program in the near future. UCC worked closely on the organization of the Ukrainian Reform Conference held in July 2019 which served as a hub for the public and private sector along with international partners to connect, network and debate current issues. This coming year we will focus on outreach efforts in new areas such as New Brunswick, BC’s Okanagan Valley and in many other communities across Canada. ©2019 Thank you once more for your help and for your “Christmas” by Zoriana Holova | Acrylic on canvas partnership in building our community! „Різдво”, автор Зоряна Голова | Акрилові фарби, полотно Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! З Різдвом Христовим! This year the Ukrainian Canadian Congress partnered with Dzherelo Children’s Rehabilitation Centre in Lviv. Their students Ihor Michalchyshyn created special Christmas artwork that you will see printed on CEO and Executive Director our Christmas cards. Since its founding in 1993 Dzherelo Children’s Rehabilitation Centre has operated in in Lviv, Ukraine as a charitable non‐profit facility. Dzherelo provides family‐centered educational and rehabilitation services and programs for children and youth with special needs, offers them opportunities to develop their full potential and promotes their integration into society. Dzherelo Centre is committed to consultation, rehabilitation treatment, education, and counseling of children with disabilities and their families. The process includes early referral, assessment and implementation of an individualized treatment plan by an integrated team of qualified professionals as well as follow‐up Funded in part by a grant from the Shevchenko Foundation, upon entry into the regular school system. Temerty Family Foundation Community Development Fund In Canada, Dzherelo is supported through the Canada‐Ukraine Foundation www.cufoundation.ca 2 winter 2019 bulletin revised.qxp_Layout 1 2019-11-25 1:55 PM Page 3 UCC congratulates Larisa Galadza on appointment as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) warmly congratulates Larisa Galadza on her appointment as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine. The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the appointment on November 4. “Congratulations to Ambassador Galadza on her appointment. Her experience and skill will be a tremendous asset to Canada,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, President of the UCC. “The Ukrainian Canadian community looks forward to working closely with Ambassador Galadza and the Canadian embassy in Kyiv.” Larisa Galadza (BA Hons [Political Science and Ethics], Trinity College at the University of Toronto, 1994; MA [International Affairs], Carleton University, 1996) joined the Department of National Defence in 1996. She worked in policy‐ related positions at the Privy Council Office in 2001 and at the Treasury Board Secretariat from 2003 to 2006, before moving to Public Safety Canada, where she was director of Strategic Policy and Research and then senior director for National Security Policy. From 2012 to 2014, she served at the Privy Council Office as director of operations for the Social Affairs Committee of Cabinet, and then, from 2014 to 2016, she was director general of Admissibility at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. In 2016, she became director general of the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program at Global Affairs Canada. UCC to honour Roman Waschuk and Oksana Smerechuk on February 1, 2020 On November 2, at the XXVI Triennial Congress, the UCC announced that His Excellency Roman Waschuk, outgoing Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, will be honoured at a Tribute Dinner celebrating his distinguished career in public service on February 1, 2020 in Toronto. Successful public service and effective diplomacy always being the result of teamwork, the UCC will also honour Oksana Smerechuk, Ambassador Waschuk’s spouse, who was President of the Ambassadors’ Spouses Club of Kyiv. Ms. Smerechuk’s commitment to community and public service and boundless energy provided Canada with a powerful voice in Kyiv. For a decade previously, Ms. Smerechuk had served Canada as an interpreter and translator for high‐level delegations and officials. “Ambassador Waschuk and Oksana Smerechuk have dedicated their careers to serving Canada and the Canadian UCC President Alexandra Chyczij, Ms. Smerechuk, Ambassador Waschuk and people,” stated UCC President Alexandra Chyczij. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko “Ambassador Waschuk’s and Ms. Smerechuk’s example of patriotism, professionalism and humility is an inspiration. We can think of no better way to honour their significant contributions than by encouraging Ukrainian Canadian youth 1-800-361-7345 to choose service to their country as a calling.” meest.com Proceeds from the Tribute Dinner will be donated to the UCC Parliamentary Internship Program and the UCC Community Development Fund. Ambassador Waschuk and Ms. Доставка посилок Smerechuk have graciously agreed to share this Tribute Evening with Canadian police officers who have been Грошові перекази providing training to Ukraine’s police forces as part of Canada’s support for security and democratic development in Ukraine, and whose contributions we will celebrate. Подарунки та квіти 3 winter 2019 bulletin revised.qxp_Layout 1 2019-11-25 1:55 PM Page 4 UCC surveys party leaders ahead of federal election Ahead of the October 21, 2019 federal election, as part of our efforts to keep all Canadians informed about issues of importance in the federal election, the UCC presented the results of its survey of the leaders of Canada’s national political parties on October 9. The leaders of the Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic and Green Parties of Canada responded to the UCC survey on their views and policy positions on six priorities of the Ukrainian Canadian community. The positions of the UCC on these policy priorities were presented in the UCC 2019 National Policy Guide, following extensive consultation and research, which included community engagement: • Strengthening Canada‐Ukraine Defence and Security Relations • Supporting Democratic and Economic Reform in Ukraine The results of the survey are available • Ensuring Security and Dignity for Seniors on the UCC website – www.ucc.ca • Welcoming Newcomers to Canada • Helping Our Culture Flourish • Fighting Online Hate and Disinformation