DAY 5 April 25, 2008

A TALK BY THE AMBASSDOR TO CANADA FROM UKRAINE


Today Dr. Hlynka and I were a part of the audience that attended a talk in the Engineering Building by Ukrainian Ambassador Ihor Ostash. Ostash was in Winnipeg last night for the Winnipeg Art Gallery opening of an exhibit dedicated to Ukrainian artist David Builiuk (1882-1967) who is known as the "father of Russian and Ukrainian futurism".

Ostash discussed the priorities of contemporary foreign policy in Ukraine, and stressed its reflective nature of recent history and "European" values. Ostash described the goals of Ukrainian policy as Canadian in character, and are based on Ukrainians' shared love of freedom, democracy, and rule of law. The Ambassador offered warm words to Canada, commenting on the likeness of the Winnipeg municipal flag to the Ukrainian flag (both are half blue and half gold), and on the ties between Canada and Ukraine built by their history of friendly relations and the high number of Ukrainian immigrants (and their descendants) in Canada.

The underlying sentiment behind the Ambassador's visit was that Ukraine and Canada are friends, and that Ukraine is in need of Canada's continued support in its efforts to become a part of the Eurpean Union and NATO. Ostash pointed out that Ukraine is one of the only countries that takes part in all NATO peacekeeping missions - as in Bosnia, Sudan, Iraq, etc. - yet remains outside of NATO membership. Many questions were asked by the audience, and the Ambassador responded diplomatically to each of them.

Achievements for the day:

• Dr. Hlynka and I set up the Mazeppa Myth wetpaint wiki.
  
• The works of Isydore and Anthony Hlynka were discussed.
• Wikipedia navigation and participation were explored.
• A connection was made between the importance of preserving and communicating cultural information within the Ukrainian Canadian community, and more importantly, outside of it. As Dr. Hlynka said, "we speak to ourselves all the time". A community that is part of a bigger picture must gage its success by how many people outside of an exclusive community it can touch. That is real communication and real innovation, and in essence, the true spirit of Canadian multiculturalism.
  

On Monday I will meet with Victoria at the CUCS.