On March 20th, 2015 Roman Waschuk, the Ambasssador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine, visited LesyaUkrainka Eastern European National University. His Excellency Ambasssador was accompanied by Inna Tsarkova, expert in political and economic issues.
The honorable guest was hospitably welcomed by Rector Ihor Kotsan, Svitlana Havrilyuk, Vice Rector for Academic Work, Serhii Mostenets, Rector's Assistant, Ihor Chulipa, Acting Head of International Relations Department, Vasyl Tokarskyi, member of the EENU Supervisory Board, His Eminence Mykhayil, Metropolitan Bishop of Lutsk and Volyn, and Mykola Romaniuk, Lutsk City Mayor. Prof. Ihor Kotsan presented the Ambassador the Ostroh Bible and the publications of our University, including a book of selected works by Lesya Ukrainka The Volyn Treasure.
Mr. Waschuk participated in the presentation of the Center of Canadian Culture at the University library. Opening the event Oksana Rohach, the Dean of the Institute of Foreign Philology, outlined the main directions of the Center's work in future, namely the compilation of the English-Ukrainian Dictionary for Foreigners; further development of cooperation with Canadian Universities and Centers of Ukrainian diaspora, Center for Canadian Studiese of the Ostroh Academy National University; promoting students’ participation in international exchange programs. The Center will serve as a base for studying Canadian English and popularizing the history and culture of Canada.
Students from the Institute of Foreign Philology creatively presented the most important aspects of Canadian life – its culture, history, and landmarks. In addition, two books, Ukraine and Its Culture, edited jointly with Donald Puffalt, Canadian lecturer at the Applied Linguistics Department, and The Big Ukrainian-English Dictionary edited by Professor Yevheniia Horot', were presented. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the teachers’ contribution to strengthening linguistic and cultural ties between Canada and Ukraine.
After this presentation, Mr. Waschuk had a meeting with students and University staff at the EENUCenter for Culture and Recreation. Their conversation mainly concerned the issues of Canadian-Ukrainian cooperation. As the Rector Ihor Kotsan reasonably pointed out, Canada is and has always been the country that most supports us, both in this difficult time for Ukraine, and in the past. In fact, Canada was the first country to recognize the independence of Ukraine.
His Excellency Ambassador said that the first Ukrainians who immigrated to Canada, were extremely proactive and hardworking, because they had to work two or even three times as hard as other immigrants. Today, among the principles of integration of immigrants in Canada are early granting of the citizenship, the right to vote, etc. In addition, the Canadian society has a deep understanding of the challenges the Ukrainians experience today. In Canada, everyone knows someone who has the Ukrainian origin. Ukrainians are viewed as Europeans in the minds of Canadians. This is actually a great foundation for cooperation between the two countries. "We managed to build a country where it is both possible and desirable to live", summed up Roman Waschuk.
After his speech, the guests had an opportunity to put questions. At the end of the meeting Ihor Kotsan thanked His Excellency Ambasssador Roman Waschuk personally and all Canadian people for the tremendous support of Ukraine and its people.
Inna MOHILEVSKA
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