Paul Grod: If Ukrainians lose their identity abroad, they will not return

The government should help organise Ukrainian education for children abroad to preserve their identity and connection with Ukraine, and the diaspora should help fund the creation and support of such educational institutions at its own expense, says Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress. He is convinced that this gives children a chance to return in the future and reunite with their families in Ukraine rather than abroad.

The diaspora expects Ukraine to adopt a law on multiple citizenship (the President submitted this law at the beginning of the year). The task of the diaspora is to advocate for Ukraine’s interests to support it during the war and for post-war reconstruction.

How can a strong Ukrainian community be built abroad? How does the Ukrainian diaspora work after Trump’s victory in the US election? Which European countries are demanding that the Holodomor be recognised as genocide of the Ukrainian people?

Paul Grod answers these and other questions in the project Mosty (The Bridges of Ukraine) by the Civic Initiative «Holka».

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress and Margaryta Sytnyk

The role of the Ukrainian diaspora in the international arena

A trip to the Scandinavian countries has several goals. To thank them for supporting Ukraine and encouraging European countries to maintain a strong coalition to help Ukraine. With a new president in the US, we need Europe to be even more united and provide more support to Ukraine.

We also need the Scandinavian countries to recognise the Holodomor as genocide. It is not in their tradition, but it is important that these countries understand that the war in Ukraine is not about territory but about the destruction of the Ukrainian people. Just as Stalin destroyed the Ukrainian people more than 90 years ago, Putin is doing the same today. It is this positioning that should change the approach to support.

How Ukrainians can influence policy and support for Ukraine in the world

I urge all Ukrainians to engage in political processes and actively advocate for Ukraine. It can take different forms and depends on the person: there are people who are capable of politics, and there are those who are not interested in politics, but they can influence society. For example, in the medical or scientific sphere, you can actively advocate for Ukraine in your circle of friends. People listen to people. If society supports Ukraine, then politicians in that country will support us.

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress

Secondly, we need to get involved in political processes. You don’t have to be a citizen of this European country, you just have to be active in the political process. Ukrainians can become members of any party in Germany, Spain, or France without being citizens of these countries.

How to build a Ukrainian community abroad

We do it at our own expense. If someone hopes that the state of Ukraine should fund something in the diaspora, it is unrealistic. We will be rebuilding Ukraine for many decades, investing money. Do not live under the myth that some kind of state aid will come for you.

The best and most powerful Ukrainian communities in the world are those that are self-financed. This is civil society. This is how our communities have been built for over 100 years. The community in Brazil, which celebrated 130 years, financed itself by opening cultural centres, homes, and Ukrainian ensembles. When my parents came to Canada, my mother was 16 years old, she came without her parents. They united, gathered and built Ukrainian churches and raised money among themselves. These immigrants did not even have an education. Concerned Ukrainians should not think about their next vacations, but what we can do to build a stronger community. Because we will need it for many generations.

If you have children, organise a kindergarten. Are you interested in politics? Join a political party where you live and help candidates become deputies. You will see how political processes work in this country so that you can run for office yourself one day, and you will need experience.

Secondly, you will have a candidate who will become a deputy. He or she will automatically be a supporter of Ukraine, because a Ukrainian helped them to become a deputy. But it is also important that Ukrainians reach the very top of the society where they live: in science, politics, and business. Become leaders in your field. This is how Jews work and teach their children.  We are the global Ukrainian community, and it is our duty to be Ukrainians and support Ukraine for generations. Ukraine will be under threat for many decades from Russia and our other neighbours because they are not interested in us being a successful state.

Margarita Sytnyk – Communications manager, Co-founder of the Civic Initiative «Holka»

Translated by Iryna Kovalenko, specially for Glavcom.ua

This text is in Ukrainian