A delegation of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), led by UWC President Paul Grod, met with Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science Andriy Butenko in Kyiv. The meeting took place as part of the official visit of the UWC delegation to Ukraine on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of independence.
The sides discussed support for Ukrainian education abroad and specific steps to strengthen Ukrainian schools abroad and support Ukrainian teachers around the world.
Minister Andriy Butenko assured that the state education policy on supporting Ukrainian education abroad would be maintained.
Key topics included recognizing the teaching experience of teachers who left Ukraine after Feb. 24, 2022, and work at Ukrainian studies institutions; the legislative definition of the concept of a “Ukrainian educational center abroad”; and participation in professional development not only for educators with Ukrainian citizenship, but also for citizens of other countries of Ukrainian descent.
“We must prepare our children, provide patriotic education so that they can defend historical truth,” UWC President Paul Grod said.
The meeting also covered the creation of a modern platform with educational materials adapted to the educational needs of Ukrainians around the world, advocating for the subject “Ukrainian as a Foreign Language” in local schools in countries where Ukrainians live, a strategy for the development of Ukrainians around the world, and fair, environmental partnership with Ukrainian communities abroad.
“Our shared task is to keep every Ukrainian child within the Ukrainian space abroad,” said Lyuba Lyubchyk, Chair of the UWC International Educational Coordinating Council (IECC).
