How can communities cooperate with the Embassies of Ukraine? Results of the Online Workshop

On November 21, the Ukrainian World Congress held a virtual workshop entitled, “How can communities cooperate with the Embassies of Ukraine?” Thousands of viewers from around the world watched the live broadcast on social media.

Andriy Shevchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Canada; Ihor Ostash, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Lebanon; and Taras Bagriy, Past President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto Branch (October 2014-2020) and Head of the Ukrainian World Congress Mentorship Program, shared their views as speakers. The conversation was moderated by Mariia Kupriianova, Executive Director of the Ukrainian World Congress.

During the workshop, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Lebanon shared successful practices of the embassy’s cooperation with the community. Ambassador Ihor Ostash also thanked the Ukrainian World Congress, the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations, and all those who supported the Ukrainian communities in Lebanon during the aftermath of the horrific explosion in Beirut.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Canada presented several co-organized projects of the Embassy, the Parliament of Canada, and the Ukrainian community. In addition, he shared effective tools for working with political parties. According to Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko, “the role of the community is invaluable. The community can explain why you need to work with Ukraine, why you need to work with Ukrainians, and why it is beneficial for the country in which you now live.”

UWC Mentorship Program Manager, Taras Bagriy, emphasized the role of a coordinating superstructure for the community: an organization that will represent the interests of the community, coordinate the activities of all organizations in the country, and represent the community to the Ukrainian government and country of residence.

“We greatly appreciate the work of our ambassadors and the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The ambassadors are our brothers and sisters in the diaspora who strengthen and support our communities,” said UWC President Paul Grod. “We have a trinity in our international communities: the church, the embassies, and the community. Together, they can effectively defend Ukraine’s interests and educate conscious Ukrainians.”

“How can communities cooperate with the Embassies of Ukraine?” is a continuation of the Ukrainian World Congress’ series of mentorship workshops, designed to exchange best practices amongst representatives of Ukrainian NGOs and organizations in the diaspora.

Watch the video of the workshop.