UCC Election Observer Project in Full Swing

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is pleased to announce that it has competed selection of observers for the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine. Over 1100 applicants submitted forms to the UCC for consideration. In the end, the UCC was able to select over 300 Canadians who will receive partial financial support to travel to Ukraine to act as accredited international election observers. These Canadians will be joined by nearly 200 Ukrainian Canadians living in Ukraine who will also be acting as observers.

The UCC has also began the logistical planning that will ensure that the delegation while in Ukraine will be properly cared for and will be able to be effective in their work. A UCC working group in Ukraine which began functioning in late November has secured training facilities as well as lodging in Kyiv for its observers. Transport to various regions of Ukraine for the actual election observing process has been arranged as has the myriad of other logistical needs that a delegation of this size requires.

The UCC is pleased that it has been able to fully fund the travel of some 25 Canadian students. These highly qualified young people will bring an important perspective to their work in Ukraine and will bring back much that will be useful to them and the community in the future.

"I would like to thank the huge number of volunteers who were ready to travel to help Ukraine develop its democracy," stated UCC President Irene (Orysia) Sushko. "Their patience and dedication is inspiring. Unfortunately, we were not able to accommodate all of the applicants. I am confident that the work done here in Canada and in Ukraine by UCC volunteers and staff will ensure that the UCC mission is successful and that the elections in Ukraine will be carefully monitored by the international community in a neutral and objective manner."

For further information, contact:

Ostap Skrypnyk
Executive Director
Ukrainian Canadian Congress
Tel: (204) 942-4627
Fax: (204) 947-3882
ostap.skrypnyk@ucc.ca
www.ucc.ca