On 4 March an engaging online meeting took place between representatives of the Coordination Centre of Ukrainian Associations in Italy and colleagues from Croatia, the Ukrainian association “Svoja”.
The association’s director, Ms Nataliia Hryshchenko, introduced its work: help with education and finding employment, advice on starting a business and more. By bringing different ideas together, the association helps Ukrainian refugees in Croatia settle in and find their own people. The main topic of discussion was support for Ukrainian emigrants in Croatia: what we have in common, how we differ, and how hard it is to find one’s way in a foreign country. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of openness, with participants sharing their experiences. Particular attention was given to language adaptation, education and integration into a new society.
In the second part of the meeting we got to know Mariana Soronevych, a journalist and the founder of the “Ukrainian Newspaper in Italy”. She shared her idea of writing a book about witnesses to brutal crimes committed during the war in Ukraine. Mariana invited anyone who personally witnessed a crime and is willing to share their story to join the project.
This meeting is an example of how different talents and experience can come together to achieve common goals. Cooperation between Ukrainian diaspora communities in different countries helps develop effective strategies for assisting and supporting emigrants.
