CNAUI at the European Congress of Ukrainians: the outcome — a stronger diaspora and closer ties with Ukraine

The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI), one of the leading platforms bringing together Ukrainian associations in Italy, is proud to report the successful participation of its President, Lara Levchun, as guest of honour at the meeting of the European Congress of Ukrainians held in Brussels on 19-20 October.

This important event brought together representatives of Ukrainian communities from 21 countries of the European Union, under the leadership of Bohdan Raichynets, and highlighted the diaspora’s significant contribution to strengthening ties with Ukraine.

CNAUI, one of the leading organisations of the Ukrainian diaspora in Italy, continues to play an important role in supporting Ukrainians forced to leave their homeland because of the war. The organisation works to integrate Ukrainian communities into European societies while preserving their cultural identity.

Day 1: strategic initiatives and new areas of cooperation

On 19 October, Brussels hosted the Annual General Meeting of the European Congress of Ukrainians (ECU), dedicated to the organisation’s 75th anniversary. The participants were welcomed by prominent Ukrainian leaders, including His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; former ECU President Levko Dovhovych; the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets; Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod; former UWC President Eugene Czolij; and Iryna Kluchkovska, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations.

In the working session, the meeting approved the reports on the ECU’s activities since the previous annual meeting, as well as amendments and additions to the ECU Statute. Rostyslav Sukennyk (Germany) was elected to the ECU Executive Board, and a new Audit Committee was confirmed: Halyna Masliuk (Greece), Pavlo Sadokha (Portugal) and Slavko Burda (Croatia). The ECU’s new members include four civic organisations from Slovenia, Moldova, North Macedonia and Finland.

As guest of honour, CNAUI affirmed its important role in fostering the development of Ukrainian communities in Europe.

Day 2: new steps and plans for the future

On 20 October the ECU Annual General Meeting concluded, attended by 50 delegates and guests from 21 countries. The second working day opened with a video address by Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha. Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Sofiia Fedyna, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, spoke live. A greeting was also read out from Serhii Rudyk, Chairman of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council (UWCC), a colonel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a Member of Parliament.

Among the main items, the next steps were set out: together with the Society of Ukrainians in Belgium, the ECU will expand the work of its Brussels office, provide a digest of strategic information for Ukrainian communities in the EU and deepen ties with the European Parliament’s cross-party group “Euro-Atlantic Ukraine”.

The ECU plans to hold strategic meetings in Prague and Bucharest in 2025, will continue its humanitarian support for Ukraine and will promote youth and educational projects.

Grand finale

The Congress closed with a festive concert by EKUBand, which deepened the sense of unity and support among all the participants.

The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) continues to play a key role in supporting Ukrainians forced to leave their homeland by Russian aggression. We work actively to integrate them into their new societies, helping them preserve their identity and cultural roots.

CNAUI continues to support Ukrainians who were forced to move abroad, working to integrate them into new societies while preserving their national identity. The organisation has been invited to the next meeting in Brussels and looks forward to continuing its cooperation with the Ukrainian diaspora in Europe.

We invite everyone who wishes to join our activities and support the Ukrainian community in Italy and beyond!