Ukrainian community meets the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy, Ihor Brusylo

On 18 April, an important meeting took place in Rome between the Ukrainian diaspora and the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy, Ihor Brusylo. The event offered an open forum for dialogue on consular matters, support for cultural initiatives and closer cooperation between the diplomatic mission and Ukrainian communities in different regions of Italy.
We are truly glad to share the same vision as the Embassy, and we are ready to work even more actively to help Ukrainian communities find partners and develop joint projects.

Participants also expressed a wish to join further discussions online as well, to ensure broader representation of Ukrainians from all over Italy and a better understanding of their current needs.

Presentation of the work of the Departments of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy

During the meeting, the activities of the Congress's key Departments were presented:

Department of International Cooperation
Its head, Oksana Rohova, reported on cooperation with public administrations in Ukraine and Italy and invited representatives of the Embassy to the international conference “Resilient Education: Practices of Intercultural Reconstruction between Italy and Ukraine”, to be held on 28 April in Bari.

Department of Culture
Olenka Hromova spoke about the cooperation with the Union of Artists and the preparations for the international cultural forum “European Dialogue: Culture. Cooperation. Future”, to be held on 28 April in partnership with the European Parliament Office in Rome. Representatives of the Embassy were invited to take part.

Department of Education
Liubov Shynkaruk and Lara Levchun presented the “100×100: Bridges of Education” project, which the European Parliament Office has invited to a meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
The Ambassador was invited to lead the delegation of Ukrainian schools that will come to Italy as part of the project.
The importance of human capital was also stressed: every member of the community is a valuable asset and a driving force for development.

The role and mission of the National Congress

Lara Levchun recalled that in 2023, with the support of the Consul General of Ukraine in Naples, M. Kovalenko, and following the signing of the Code of Honour, an alliance of Ukrainian associations and communities in Italy was formed; a year later, the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy was registered.
The Congress works in a systematic and structured way, with a clear division into Departments.

– Last year the Department of International Cooperation held six international forums.
– The Department of Education presented the “100×100: Bridges of Education” project at an education conference on 31 August 2025.
– The project is supported by the European Parliament Office, with which two working meetings have already taken place: on 19 November and on the anniversary of the start of the war.
– The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine officially supports the initiative.

The Ambassador received an official invitation to lead the delegation of Ukrainian schools at the meeting with the President of the European Parliament.

The meeting with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy, Ihor Brusylo, was an important step in strengthening cooperation between the diplomatic mission and the Ukrainian community. All participants affirmed a shared vision: to work for the good of Ukraine, to support Ukrainians who live and work in Italy, and to develop partnerships that foster cultural, educational and social unity.
This cooperation shows how joint effort, trust and open dialogue lay a solid foundation for the future of the Ukrainian community in Europe.