Youth Leadership Program 2006 Agenda
Youth Leadership Program 2006 Participants
Youth Leadership Program 2006 Speakers
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YLP 2008 Home | YLP 2008 Application For the Next Generation… USUF’S 2008 YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s 2008 Youth Leadership Program was held from July 26 through August 1 in Washington, DC. The week-long program, organized by the Foundation since 2002, introduces college and university students, ages 16-29, to essential elements of leadership, civic engagement and the political process during meetings with key leaders in the U.S. capital. The program has also been held in Kyiv during the past several years. STUDENTS Thirteen students participated in this year’s Youth Leadership Program, among which six were from Ukraine, one from Canada and six from the U.S. The mix of students offers dynamic learning and discussion regarding current issues affecting Ukraine. The 2008 Youth Leadership Program participants were:
PROGRAM SPEAKERS By interacting with leaders working in governmental and non-governmental areas, this year’s participants gained an understanding of U.S.-Ukraine relations and the issues, organizations and institutions influencing them. Students had the chance to meet with many important leaders involved in U.S.-Ukraine relations, including: Oleksandr Alexandrovych, Minister-Counselor for Economic and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Ukraine Mark Brzezinski, a partner at McGuireWoods LLP Orest Deychakiwsky, Staff Advisor at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission Jurij Dobczansky – Senior Cataloging Specialist at the Library of Congress Eugene Fishel, Special Advisor for National Security Affairs at the Office of the Vice President Bohdan Futey, Federal Judge from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Jim Gerlach, U.S. Congressman (R-PA) and Co-Chair of the Ukrainian Congressional Committee Marcy Kaptur, U.S. Congresswoman (D-OH) and Co-Chair of the Ukrainian Congressional Caucus David Kramer, Assistance Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights at the U.S. State Department Mark Levin, Executive Director at NCSJ Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and now Senior Advisor at the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program E. Morgan Williams, President of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council
Students with Eugene Fishel, Special Advisor for National Security Affairs at the Office of the Vice President, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Youth Leaders in front of the White House
Students with Oleksandr Alexandrovych, Minister-Counselor for Economic and Cultural Affairs, at the Embassy of Ukraine Students in front of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C.
SPECIAL FORUMS Women as Leaders in Ukraine – A group discussion was organized with Vital Voices, a non-governmental organization which addresses women’s needs across the globe. Women leaders from Ukraine, being hosted by Vital Voices, came to the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and met with the Youth Leadership Program students in a group format. No Other Home: The Crimean Tatars - The students had the opportunity to attend a multi-media presentation by Maria Sonevytsky of Arlington, VA and an ethnomusicology Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University, who spent the first half of 2008 in Crimea with Alison Cartwright, an award-winning New York based photographer, on a project documenting the life of Crimean Tatars through recorded interviews, photographs, and video footage. Special Interests, Lobbying and the Political Process – Realizing the interest, need and importance for good government practices in the U.S. and Ukraine, the Foundation requested Robert McConnell, Vice President of Armor Designs, Inc., to speak to the students about the need for proper public disclosure and effective laws that can rein in corrupt practices within the functioning of a democratic government and the political process. Environmental Forum - Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Coalition and SUN DAY Campaign - both national non-profit organizations based in Washington DC, and Co-Director of the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association, organized a discussion on energy and environmental issues in Ukraine. He was assisted by Tanya Murza, Co-Director of EcoClub, an environmental group in Rivne, Ukraine. Leadership Activity - Catherine McCall, an educator in leadership and civic engagement, led an interactive session on leadership.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS Many other interesting activities were planned for the students including tours of the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress, a pool party, and a concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The program officially concluded with an evening certificate ceremony at the Taras Shevchenko Monument in downtown Washington. The students paid tribute to the great leader of the Ukrainian nation, Taras Shevchenko, and sang the Ukrainian National Anthem.
PROGRAM VALUE - PRICELESS Some appraisals of the 2008 Youth Leadership Program: Iryna Koshulap: “On the whole, it was great experience.” Lydia Tomkiw: “I really enjoyed the program and value the experience.” Ivan Antoniv: “I loved the program …The Youth Leadership Program of 2008 was a great opportunity to see the challenges Ukraine faces. It showed me that I should be part of the change that has to take place.”
MAJOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT Similar to past years, the program was free to participating students. All program costs (except for an application fee) and lodging were borne by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation. The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation appreciates the major financial support provided by the following organizations and individuals in making the 2008 Youth Leadership Program possible: Chopivsky Family Foundation Dr. Murray Senkus Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank (Chicago, IL) Self Reliance (NY) Federal Credit Union (New York City) Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union (Chicago, IL) Sutaruk Foundation The Maria Hulai Lion Foundation
SPECIAL THANKS
PROGRAM COORDINATION The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s 2008 Youth Leadership Program was organized by: Sofia Zmurkewycz, Summer Intern/Program Coordinator
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