
An international conference focusing on the recovery of children affected by war was held in London on Oct. 21. Organized by the Ukrainian St. Mary’s Trust (USMT), a member of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), the event also received support from the British government.
The conference assembled experts dedicated to assisting children and families impacted by war. Participants discussed developing programs to identify and support trauma in ways that are both psychologically and culturally appropriate for children. These initiatives can be implemented in local schools and through collaborative efforts, the AUGB said.
Lyuba Lyubchyk, chair of the UWC’s International Educational Coordinating Council (IECC), emphasized the importance of state institutions “finally seeing and hearing those Ukrainians abroad who need our support and help.”
Lyubchyk, addressing the audience.
“It is high time to amend current educational legislation to recognize [weekly] Saturday and Sunday schools, which have played a crucial role in preserving and developing Ukrainian identity and national consciousness abroad for over a century,” Lyubchyk said.
The conference featured notable attendees, including Iryna Suslova, the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Children’s Rights, Ukrainian member of parliament Nataliia Pipa, Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel de Souza, and leaders from local councils, charitable foundations, and psychological support organizations.
You can watch the video from the conference at the following link.
Cover: AUGB