UCC 24^th Triennial Congress

Walter Dezko

Toronto was host this past weekend, November 8-10^th, to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress 24^th Triennial Congress. The three day event, which took place at the Airport Marriott Hotel, offered two days of interesting panels, workshops and discussions including themes of religious, academic and journalistic freedom, Ukraine-one year after the parliamentary elections, and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Breakout workshops ranged from fundraising, religion, integrating the 4^th wave, arts and culture to engaging the next generation, government regulations and relations, restoring historic memory and Ukrainian-Jewish relations.

The Congress highlights included several memorable moments. Friday evening featured the finalists of the Ukrainian Dragon’s competition. The initial prize pot of $50,000 was increased by an additional $5,000. SUSK received $25,000 for their youth development project (with conditions); The Vesnivka Choir got $20,000 for their internet music project and the Lemon Bucket Orkestra got $10,000 (with conditions) to tour Canada. On Saturday, the audience was treated to a gala dinner that featured an informal “fireside chat” with Jurij Klufas and Canadian Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Steven Harper. The leaders of both federal opposition parties also took part in the Congress-Tomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau.

Sunday wrapped up with a discussion and a vote on the congress resolutions and the re-election of Paul Grod as president of the UCC for the next three year term. See interviews and follow-up stories in the next edition of New Pathway.

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The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Jurij Klufas, Kontakt TV chat at the gala dinner at the UCC 24th Triennial Congress