From 10 to 12 December 2024, a delegation of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) – an alliance of Ukrainians that grew out of the Coordination Centre and now brings together 44 Ukrainian associations and communities in Italy – held a series of meetings.
Throughout the year, the presidents of associations and the leaders of Ukrainian communities from Milan to Sicily, from Bari to Sardinia, worked side by side. The outcome of that work, and its recognition by the European Congress of Ukrainians, was an invitation to the European Parliament.
“The main purpose of the visit is for the voice of the Ukrainians united in CNAUI to be heard and understood by Italian Members of the European Parliament from different regions of Italy and different political parties,” stressed President Lara Levchun.
Panel meetings were held with:
Hon. Marco Falcone
Hon. Roberto Vannacci
Hon. Michele Picaro
Hon. Leoluca Orlando
Hon. Pina Picierno
Hon. Mario Furore
Hon. Pasquale Tridico
Elek Levente
The main topics of discussion:
- Protecting human rights and freedoms, and the challenges of integrating Ukrainians in Italy
- The impact of Russian disinformation and manipulation on Italy’s information space
- Stronger support for Ukraine
The delegates set out their key demands and proposals in a petition, which they signed unanimously and handed to the cross-party group of MEPs who are friends of Ukraine, “Euro-Atlantic Ukraine”.
Looking back on these meetings, we are once again convinced of the readiness and real strength of the associations within our Congress to carry the truth about Ukraine, in a coordinated and direct way, even to politicians who think otherwise or who simply have no other way of hearing us.
This is what unity, democracy and freedom truly look like – the core values of Europe, and of Ukraine in particular.
