MP Wrzesnewskyj Hosts University Students of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program in Ottawa

Ottawa – Liberal M.P. Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Centre) welcomed and hosted a meeting on September 16 with visiting university students from Ukraine participating in the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP), an 8-week internship at the House of Commons.

“Such a visionary program as CUPP is of tremendous importance to Ukraine’s future, particularly its democratic  development. The unique experiences that the students will gain here in Canada, will not only empower them as individuals, but will motivate them to act as catalysts to further strengthen and deepen Ukraine’s democratic development and institutions. I am confident that these students are the future leaders of Ukraine; they will succeed as individuals and in their goal to help Ukraine achieve her rightful place on the world stage,” said Wrzesnewskyj.

During the meeting, the CUPP students engaged Wrzesnewskyj on numerous topics related to politics in Canada and Ukraine, and the relations between the two countries. Wrzesnewskyj shared his insights on politics, bilateral relations between Ukraine and Russia, Canada and the United States, and of course Canada-Ukraine relations. The students also posed questions on Ukrainian history, the upcoming Presidential elections in Ukraine, and Wrzesnewskyj’s recent visit to Ukraine as a part of an official delegation led by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Peter Milliken. Wrzesnewskyj challenged and encouraged the students in their ambitions to have a positive impact on Ukraine by using the knowledge and experience they will garner while participating in their internship.

The Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) is supported by the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation of Toronto and has been operating for the past 19 years. The CUPP was established by Ihor W. Bardyn, the President of the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation, who has successfully guided the program and provided this exceptional learning and work experience over its lifetime.

The CUPP assigns the students to offices of Members of Parliament from all parties where they participate in the day-to-day operations of a Member’s office, undertake research and other assignments, attend official meetings with Parliamentary Officers and experts in Canadian parliamentary affairs, and learn about Canadian parliamentary procedures and governance. This was the first official meeting that the students had since their arrival on September 14th.

The evening gathering was also attended by Ihor Bardyn, who welcomed the students and wished them the best as they embark on their internship in Canada. He also informed the students that they will continue to hold meetings with important government and non-governmental opinion-leaders during their stay and encouraged them to take advantage of their time in Ottawa to learn and experience Canadian parliamentary democracy in action.

Yaroslav Kovalchuk, this year’s CUPP coordinator, thanked Borys Wrzesnewskyj for hosting the students and presented him with a book on Ukrainian history as a memento on behalf of the gathered students.

Wrzesnewskyj remains committed to the CUPP and has once again through his family foundation, Dopomoha Ukraini/Aid to Ukraine Fund, provided a scholarship to one of the students for 2009 and is hosting two CUPP students (Artem Sokolskyi and Anna Yablonska).