UWC, Education Ministry strengthen global push to preserve identity

KYIV — The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and Ukraine’s Education Ministry agreed to step up cooperation on preserving Ukrainian identity abroad during talks on Aug. 26. 

The meeting, led by Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi and a UWC delegation headed by President Paul Grod, centered on strengthening Ukrainian-language education in the diaspora, countering Russian global school networks, and expanding teacher training and infrastructure for Ukrainian studies. 

Grod thanked the ministry for its openness and collaboration with the UWC and its Education and Research Office. He said that supporting Ukrainian education abroad should be a government priority.

“It is important not only to build the infrastructure but also to encourage parents to send their children to Ukrainian schools,” Grod said.

Minister Lisovyi described Ukrainian education abroad as a strategic focus for the ministry and expressed appreciation for the UWC’s work.

“I am very grateful for what the UWC has achieved, and personally to Lyuba Lyubchyk, [Chair of the UWC’s International Educational Coordinating Council],” he said.

Lyubchyk highlighted positive feedback from Saturday and Sunday schools and growing parental trust in Ukrainian education. She thanked Minister Lisovyi and the ministry team for their support of Ukrainian schools abroad.

Lyubchyk stressed the importance of comprehensive assistance for diaspora schools, adapting the Ukrainian studies curriculum to the realities of the diaspora, and continuing educational dialogue between Ukrainian schools abroad and the Ministry.

“During the ‘Educational Marathon’ held in April–May, 61 countries and nearly 1,000 participants took part. These educational dialogues are a great opportunity to build lasting connections that address the educational needs and requests across the vast Ukrainian world,” she said.