SCHEDULE OF UWC PRESIDIUM AND SECRETARIAT MEETINGS

The UWC Presidium will meet in limited session on Friday, February 7, 2003 at 4:00 PM. The full UWC Presidium will meet on February 8, 2003, 9:30 AM and on May 9, 2003 at 3PM. The Secretariat in Plenary Session will convene May 9, 2003 at 6PM and reconvene May 10, 2003 9:30AM.

LIMITED PRESIDIUM MEETS

The UWC Presidium met in limited session on December 14, 2002 to discuss some of the more important issues of the day regarding UWC activity. Topics discussed included the UWC VIII Congress, registration of the UWC in Ukraine, the Great Famine memorial in Kyiv, the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council, organizational issues, an analysis of the UWC finances at year end and other matters. Decisions adopted were as follows:

• To hold the next Congress at the Ukrainian House on Khreschatyk Street (European Square) in Kyiv from August 18-21, 2003;
• to designate former UWC president Mykola Plawiuk as the UWC representative for purposes of UWC registration in Ukraine and to execute all contracts in connection with theVIII Congress; to facilitate the convening of all UWC councils and commissions during the Congress by intervening, if necessary with member organizations, particularly with regard to the World Ukrainian Cooperative Council;
• to maintain maximum registration fees at $400 Can. or 250 US; to invite all embassies of countries where Ukrainians reside that are located in Kyiv to send representatives and display  their banners at the congress opening ceremonies;
• to invite the five major representatives of Ukrainian Christian churches in the diaspora to the Congress;
• to proceed with the Great Famine memorial project in Kyiv, recognize the announcement by Ukraine’s President of the erection of a Great Famine memorial and offer joint participation to the Ukrainian government
• to consider formal  representation of the UWC as a legal entity  in other countries;
• to table any activity regarding the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council until the UWC VIII Congress;
• to visit sprouting Ukrainian communities in Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Croatia and Germany before  term end in August 2003;
• to solicit financial support from Ukrainian credit unions prior to year end; to forward a letter of concern to the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church  regarding His statement on the imminent visit to Ukraine of the Moscow Patriarch;
• to accept certain budget proposals of the Commission on Human and Civil Rights and to table the budget proposals of the Cultural Affairs Council until the next meeting.

VIII UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS

As decided at the last limited session of the Presidium, the UWC VIII Congress will convene at the Ukrainian House on Khreschatyk Street (European Square) in Kyiv, August 18-21, 2003. Member organizations are urged to respond to the UWC’s request to designate delegates immediately. The program will include a special observance of the Great Famine anniversary, a concert at the Kyiv Philharmonic and a concluding reception at City Hall.

UKRAINIANS IN AUSTRALIA MARK FAMINE ANNIVERSARY

Australia’s Ukrainian community has commenced its year-long commemorative program of the 70^th anniversary of the Great Famine in Ukraine 1932-33. On Sunday, December 1, 2002 a national commemoration was held in Canberra, Australia’s capital, with memorial services at the Shrine of Remembrance for Victims of the Great Famine. Stefan Romaniw, Chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, stressed the need for recognition of the Great Famine as a genocide as well as condemnation of those responsible.

ST. VOLODYMYR AWARD

The highest distinction awarded by the UWC to individuals is the St. Volodymyr medal. During this term the Rules and Regulations (R&R) regarding this award were amended and delineated with some specificity. At its last limited session the UWC Presidium appointed a St. Volodymyr Medal Commission to consider applications. According to the R&R, only UWC member central umbrella organizations and the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations are in a position to submit candidates with argumentation by February 7, 2003. This will to allow ample time for the Commission to consider nominees and submit recommendations so that the UWC Presidium meeting in February can decide what recommendations to accept. The list of accepted nominees will then be submitted to all central umbrella organizations for further deliberation. Finally the Presidium meeting in May 2003 will rule on the final award recipients. Please bear in mind that while the R&R provide a wide spectrum for submissions, “particular input in the development of Ukrainian life”, this criterion needs to be assessed at its superlative level. Any nominations submitted after February 7, 2003 will not be considered.