The UWC Executive Board met in initial session on Saturday, February 7, 2004 in Toronto. Among the participants were representatives from North America, Europe and Australia, with Asian and South American representatives absent. The meeting’s agenda addressed several salient topics with the following decisions taken after due deliberation:

• to form a human trafficking taskforce under the auspices of the UWC Human and Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) and chaired by a designee of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWО);
• to establish a new website for the UWC and submit the wrongful conversion of the UWC’s current website to arbitration;
• to forward a letter to all Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) members with suggestions to be included in legislation on the presidential elections of 2004;
• to focus on the burgeoning Ukrainian communities in Europe and coordinate activity with the European Congress of Ukrainians;
• to establish a payment schedule for UWC council and committee budgets in three tranches, January, June and November;
• to establish a legal framework for the UWC-Ukrainian World Foundation relationship and to consider establishing a similar foundation in the United States.

UWC HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED 

UKRAINE’S ELECTION LAW SUGGESTIONS

    In a letter forwarded to all members of the VR with copies to the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the UWC has submitted a list of suggestions for inclusion in the to be enacted legislation on the presidential elections in 2004. The suggestions include: clarity in the law regarding participation in the electoral process by all individuals both in Ukraine and abroad in possession of a valid Ukrainian passport irrespective of immigration status; practical facilitation for participation in the process outside Ukraine by establishing polling places in numerous locations; clear and concise regulations regarding the qualification of international observer sponsor organizations with unimpeded access to the ballot box, the Central Election Commission and local commissions.

MONOGRAPH/ALBUM OF THE UKRAINIAN INSURGENT ARMY

    The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations has advised the UWC of a project currently underway in Ukraine to publish a popular monograph/album about the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in the Ukrainian and English languages. The anticipated publication of album size, consisting of 350 pages with approximately two thirds photos, maps, graphics and the rest text would be unique in its popular appeal. The UWC urges its member organizations and their individual members to help fund this project. Please contact the AFUO at PO Box 251 Essendon, Australia 3040, Tel.: (613)9375 1781, Fax:: (613)9326 1065, e-mail Cyoa@netsol.net.au. 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DOCUMENTARY ON UKRAINE IN WWII AVAILABLE

    The Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre urged the UWC to disseminate information about the newest production of entitled Between Hitler and Stalin: Ukraine in World War II, The Untold Story. The documentary is narrated by Oscar winning actor Jack Palance, directed by Slavko Nowytski and depicts the tragedy of the Ukrainian nation during the aforesaid war. Copies for premiere screenings only may be procured at the UCRDC with an agreement that 50% of all proceeds shall be turned over to the UCRDC for future expenses, such as the production of a Ukrainian language version of this documentary.  All interested may contact the UCRDC, 620 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2H4, Tel.: (416) 966-1819, Fax: (416) 966-1820, e-mail: ucrdc@interlog.com.

BANDERA MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED IN LVIV

    The UWC has been approached by representatives of a Not for Profit Fund for the erection of a monument to Stepan Bandera in Lviv to disseminate information about this effort among our members for financial assistance. The Fund is chaired by Ihor Kalynets. The memorial will be situated at the crossroads of Bandera, Sheptycky and Nevsky streets in Lviv. Contributions may be made at: р/р 260010060120 в Укрексімбанку м. Львова, МФО 325718 код ЄРДПОУ 19340661 or 79013, m.Львів, вул. С. Бандери, 32a, тел.: (380322)398649.