October 15, 2012
MEDIA RELEASE
UWC PRESIDENT TAKES PART IN A FOUNDING MEETING ESTABLISHING
THE UNION OF UKRAINIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN GERMANY
On October 6-7, 2012 in Berlin, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij participated in the founding meeting which established a Ukrainian national representation in Germany. The meeting was called by an organizing committee struck at a meeting of Ukrainian organizations held on April 1, 2012 in Munich on the initiative of the UWC.
Demonstrating the willingness of their organizations to unite for a common cause, 20 representatives and 10 guests convened in the German capital. Eugene Czolij was elected chair of the meeting.
During the two-day meeting, delegates unanimously established the Union of Ukrainian Organizations in Germany (UUOG), developed and adopted a constitution, including UUOG’s main objectives, and elected an executive headed by Roman Rokytskyy. The goals of UUOG encompass the development of Ukrainian-German relations and cooperation with the European Union in the cultural, educational, scientific, sport, social and charitable spheres of activity, preserving the Ukrainian national identity in Germany and support for Ukraine’s democratic processes and Euro-integration.
Extending greetings to the participants, the UWC President, Eugene Czolij, referred to the establishment of a Ukrainian national coordinating body as a historic moment and emphasized its role in representing the interests ofUkrainians in Germany, as well as coordinating and mobilizing their activities. He also called for close cooperation with the UWC.
The UWC is the international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians. The UWC has member organizations in 33 countries and ties with Ukrainians in 14 additional countries. Founded in 1967 as a non-profit corporation, the UWC was recognized in 2003 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with special consultative status.
