UWC honors Ukrainian Canadians with St. Volodymyr Medal

Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod honored three Ukrainian Canadians with the St. Volodymyr the Great Medal — the organization’s highest award.

“It is reserved only for those whose actions have truly advanced the cause of Ukraine and the principles of freedom and justice worldwide,” the UWC President said.

The awards ceremony took place during the XXVIII Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Toronto. The previous day, Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Special Representative for Economic Measures and her country’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, had received the honor.

This year’s laureates are Andriy Hladyshevsky, Victor Hetmanchuk, and Borys Wrzesnewskyj.

Andriy Hladyshevsky, a lawyer and public figure, has worked for over 40 years to advance Ukrainian culture and heritage in Canada. As president of the Shevchenko Foundation, he grew its endowment to $32 million, launched the “Kobzar” literary award, and played a role in establishing the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.

Victor Hetmanchuk, recently appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada, heads the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. He has organized medical missions to Ukraine, implemented humanitarian and educational programs, and created the “Holodomor Awareness Tour,” which has been attended by over 54,000 Canadians.

Borys Wrzesnewskyj, a former parliamentarian Canada, is recognized for his long-standing support of Ukrainian independence, democracy, and education. He financed an informational campaign before the 1991 independence referendum, facilitated Canada’s participation in election monitoring during the Orange Revolution, and was instrumental in the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide. Through his family foundation, he continues to support educational and humanitarian projects for Ukraine.

The contribution of each laureate has a lasting impact on the development of the Ukrainian community abroad, the international support for Ukraine, and the strengthening of ties between Canada and Ukraine.

The UWC is sincerely grateful to the laureates for their long-term leadership, dedication to the Ukrainian cause, and tireless work for the benefit of Ukraine and the global Ukrainian community. Their efforts strengthen Ukrainian identity abroad, support democratic values, and serve as an example for future generations of Ukrainians worldwide.