Marta Farion, Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America

Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Illinois Branch sponsored a Round Table titled “Ukraine at a Crossroads” on March 19 at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. 

The foundation’s board members signed a Resolution calling upon Ukraine’s President, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Research, Youth and Sports, to comply with Ukraine’s obligations under the Bologna Agreement, designed to reform higher education in a convergent way with European educational standards.  They called attention to the subversive policies and activities of the Minister D. Tabachnik, intended to stop Ukraine’s integration with the European Union, specifically in the area of education. 

Borys Tarasiuk expressed the opinion of the majority of Ukraine’s population when he stated, “Dmitro Tabachnik’s main function is to sabotage the development of Ukraine’s educational system and the competitiveness of our young people, who are the human capital of our nation”. 

The foundation’s board members gathered in Chicago, including the board’s co-chairmen,BorysTarasiuk, Ukraine’s Former Minister of International Relations and current Head of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, and William Green Miller, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, and board members Dr. Vyacheslav Bryukhovetsky, Dr. Anna Mostovych, Dr. Daniel Hryhorchuk, Dr. Michael Radnor, David Bishop, Dr. William Gleason, Marta Farion, Oksana Khanas.  Board members Jaroslava Z. Johnson and Ihor Wyslotsky did not attend the meetings but joined all board members in signing the Resolution that was passed. 

A diverse audience representing all generations filled the hall to capacity.  Dr. Oles Strilchuk, president of UCCA-Illinois Branch, and Dr. Paul Nadzikewycz, chairman of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art greeted the distinguished speakers and audience.  Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank and Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union were instrumental in supporting the community event. 

The presentations and lively discussions included issues at the core of Ukraine’s current problems, such as integration with the European Union, the dangers of growing centralization of governmental power, the upcoming elections and challenges to the opposition, persecution and imprisonment of political opponents, economic and political impact of current Ukrainian policies on US-Ukraine relations, the role of education in sustaining independence, building a civil society, preparing a new generation of leaders,  and transformation of society through education.

The foundation’s board of directors encouraged support of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, in its role as leader in educational reform.  The Academy continues to expand its mission and programs to provide the best education at international academic standards. The foundation encourages donors to build a significant endowment fund and insure the future of the university’s autonomy and mission. 

Education has become the global currency of the twenty-first century.  The question is who will shape Ukraine’s future, whether it will be shaped by its own people or by others.  Nation-building requires a population that possesses knowledge, skills and access to global information to be competitive.  The outcome will depend on the education the nation will provide to its citizens.  The role of the university is at the core of this challenge.