The World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations held a very successful annual meeting August 18 and 19, 2013 in Lviv, Ukraine at the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations (MIOK), Lviv Polytechnic National University.

25 delegates and guests of 12 WFUWO member organizations travelled to Ukraine to participate in the meeting. As well, some 30 members of women’s organizations in Ukraine were invited to attend the meeting to share information on topics of interest to all women, and to learn more about WFUWO’s multifaceted activities.

WFUWO President, Orysia Sushko, officially opened the annual meeting, extending a warm welcome to all present. Delegates and guests were also welcomed by Iryna Kluchkovska, Director of the International Institute for Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations, Lviv Polytechnic National University; Bohdan Morklyanyk, Assistant Rector of the Lviv Polytechnic National University; and later by the President of the World Congress of Ukrainians, Eugene Czolij. Letters of greetings were presented from Yurij Bobalo, Rector of the Lviv Polytechnic National University; Viktor Shemchuk, Head of the Lviv State Administration; and Oksana Sokolyk, Honourary WFUWO President. The Ukrainian National Anthem was performed by the Bandura Ensemble “Zaspiv” led by Christine Zaluchko.

Delegates and guests responded positively to the WFUWO President’s report on the Federation’s activities during the period from October 2012 to August 2013.

Member organizations presented their annual reports, which were of special interest to the participants. Several delegates added a visual dimension to their reports in the form of on-screen video presentations. As well, Olga Danylyak, Vice-chair of the WFUWO Constitution Committee, presented issues related to the By-laws.

On the morning of August 19th, delegates and guests attended a Divine Liturgy at the Greek Catholic Cathedral of St. Yura to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration.

The second day of the annual meeting featured a panel discussion on the topic “Current issues facing women and methods to resolve these.” Panel participants included Rostislava Fedak, Vice-president, League of Women of Ukraine; Lubov Maksymovich, Chair and CEO of the “Women’s Perspectives” Centre; Lyudmila Yakovleva, Chair of the National Women’s Association; Ivanna Kornetska, Vice-President of the Lviv Branch of the League of Ukrainian Women.

Other key presenters at the meeting included Dr. Marta Kichorowska-Kebalo, WFUWO Representative to the United Nations, and Dr. Martha Bohachevska-Chomiak, Director of Women’s Studies at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Both provided insightful information on their specific topics. Honourary Chairman of the Ukrainian League of Ukrainian Women, Daria Gusyak, gave an emotional presentation on the issues presently facing Ukraine. Invited guests and members of Women’s organizations in Ukraine also had the opportunity to greet the participants.

Following the annual meeting, participants toured an exhibit organized by the League of Women of Ukraine. League Vice-President Rostislava Fedak presented an outline of exhibits dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko, as well as to the memory of the victims of the Holodomor-Genocide in 1932-1933.

Concurrently with WFUWO’s annual meeting, WFUWO Ukrainian Secretary Alexandra Faryma represented WFUWO at a memorial service held at the Memorial Museum “Prison at Lontskoho Street” dedicated to the victims executed by the occupying regimes. WFUWO USA Vice-President Lidia Bilous represented WFUWO at the ceremonial dedication of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kyiv. Both women shared her profound impressions with the participants of the meeting.

WFUWO expresses its sincere gratitude to the delegates and guests of our member organizations, who travelled considerable distances to participate in the annual meeting and share valuable information regarding their activities. Sincere gratitude is conveyed to all who continue to put forth their efforts to keep family and spiritual values at the forefront, respond to the needs of others and continue their efforts to further the democratization of Ukraine. All efforts in this respect are graciously honoured.

As well, WFUWO expresses a deep gratitude to the citizens of Lviv for their warm hospitality during our visit. A special thank you is expressed to the city dignitaries, and the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations (MIOK), Lviv Polytechnic National University, for the excellent organization and multilateral assistance in holding our annual meetings in Lviv. We wish the directors, staff and volunteers of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations (MIOK), Lviv Polytechnic National University continued success in their programs, and we anticipate their cooperation in the future. All the gifts, books and souvenirs donated by guests from women’s organizations of Ukraine will enrich our exhibit and library collection at the WFUWO office.

More photos from the Annual Meeting can be viewed on the WFUWO Facebook page.