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Recently, the druzhynnyky of the Edmonton Branch of the Ukrainian Youth Association (UYA) had the rare opportunity to meet druh Stefan Romaniw, the current 1st vice-president of the UYA’s World Executive, as well as the General Secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC). Other readers might be more familiar druh Romaniw as the current Head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN).

A member of the UYA in Australia for over 42 years, Druh Romaniw is also actively involved in the various important work of the Ukrainian World Congress. For the last number of years his main project there has been as Chairman of the International Holodomor Committee. This committee has been integral in the campaign to raise awareness and disseminate information about this great tragedy of the Ukrainian people. Furthermore, he has led the lobbying effort to have governments around the world officially recognize this man-made famine as genocide. Perhaps readers remember that in 2008, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-33, an “eternal candle” travelled to many different cities in 33 countries around the world, including Canada and the US. This campaign was successfully organized thanks to the Ukrainian World Congress and the efforts of this committee.

When the druzhynnyky found out that druh Romaniw would be coming to Edmonton, we were very excited to meet him. Over the last year or two, the young adults in our Oseredok have started to become more active not only in our Association, but also in the wider Ukrainian community. We were determined to seize this rare opportunity to speak with the Head of the OUN! As children, and members of the Ukrainian Youth Association, we heard many stories of this most legendary of Ukrainian organizations. Those of us fortunate enough to grow up with grandparents heard epic tales of the OUN, and it’s fight for the liberation of Ukraine, before, during and after World War II. Druh Romaniw’s visit to Edmonton was a unique opportunity for us to better understand and appreciate the great contributions our grandparents’ generation made to the cause of Ukrainian sovereignty and freedom.

We were pleasantly surprised to hear how forthright and earnest druh Romaniw was in his discussion with us; It was refreshing to hear such an honest evaluation of what is going on in Ukraine today, and how the OUN is doing its part for the good of the nation. For many in the Diaspora, including young adults such as us, it sometimes seems that all hope has been lost in Ukraine, that people have given up and are ready to surrender the freedom for which our ancestors paid such a bloody price. We read the news from Ukraine on the internet and in newspapers, and see how some politicians seem hell-bent on destroying Ukraine’s national institutions; we see how a person’s family connections, and the size of the bribe they can pay, are more important to advancement than personal achievement, hard work and skill. Growing up in Canada, in one of the most free and democratic political systems in the world, it’s nearly impossible for us to wrap our heads around how such a corruptocracy can exist in one of Europe’s largest nations.

Thankfully, our discussion with druh Romaniw left us feeling more hopeful for the future of Ukraine. He convinced us that not everything has fallen apart, and that despite the best efforts of the unsavory people in the current presidential administration of Victor Yanukovych, Ukrainophobes such Dmytro Tabachnyk and Mykola Azarov, entire sections of society are in fact standing up against this renewed Russification. “Not everything has fallen apart yet,” says druh Romaniw. “In fact, the student community in Ukraine’s universities is stronger, more active and better organized than it’s ever been in the past. This patriotic youth won’t let Ukraine crumble. Our movement is engaged with them, because our informational-educational work with students and youth is not going to waste.” Today’s Anti-Tabachnyk campaign grew out of spontaneous student demonstrations at one university, and quickly spread across the country. This effort to force the Minister of Education to resign is being spearheaded by young, politically aware individuals who grew up already beyond the grip of the Soviet system. This democratically-minded stratum of society clearly sees how today’s political system is failing the population, and understands the need for real national reforms. Furthermore, it is beginning to feel its own civic strength. “Over the coming years, this new generation of students will start forming a new “elite”, a new echelon of civic and political leaders who are aware and active within the community, and who will initiate the changes needed to save Ukraine,” Romaniw added.

When we asked our guest how today’s OUN can effect real, lasting changes in Ukraine, he explained that, first of all, OUN is not a political party, trying to force its way into government. “OUN,” he says “is, in fact, that spark which can kindle the public spirit. Today, the OUN in Ukraine and in the Diaspora form a global Organization; an Organization where we complement each other, and in which we need one another. From the Executive’s perspective, we constantly remind our members, that whilst the OUN is spread around the world, the essence of our existence, our purpose and aim, is the same everywhere. That is why the education of young people either in Ukraine or in the Diaspora is a major focus, because young people should know their roots, should love God and Ukraine…We are a global organization, our strength is in unity!”

And how can we, the young adults of Edmonton’s Ukrainian-Canadian community, undertake to further the cause and support Ukrainian independence and sovereignty? “Very simply”, says druh Romaniw “develop contacts and relationships with your peers, amongst yourselves in the Ukrainian Youth Association, in Ukraine and in the Diaspora. Stay in touch, and lead a dialogue with them. Let them know that you not only think and worry about them and the well-being of Ukraine, but that you want to work cooperatively with them. Prove to them that you are true Ukrainians, and that in the Diaspora there exists a “Ukrainian Spirit”, preserving the same culture, traditions and values as those they hold dear. Show them that their efforts impact not just Ukraine, but also the Diaspora.” Considering this emotional call to action, I expect that our Druzhynnyky will be eager to attend the next UYA World Jamboree in Ukraine, in 2012. Of course, the fact that the Euro-Cup will be going on at the same time won’t hurt matters!

The Edmonton community was pleased to welcome such an esteemed guest for the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the League of Ukrainian-Canadian Women and the 60th anniversary of the men’s League, in Edmonton. Our guest was the keynote speaker at the honors banquet, and gave a very interesting and thoughtful speech about the current situation in Ukraine. He did an exemplary job of outlining the renewed threat to Ukrainian sovereignty. Despite the fact that Ukraine proclaimed independence in 1991, the work and responsibilities of the Ukrainian Diaspora with regards to Ukraine didn’t disappear. Quite the opposite; the threats to the Ukrainian nation, its language and national identity, multiply on a daily basis. It’s critical for us to understand that the historical enemy of Ukraine did not perish in 1991, but spent the last 20 year’s licking its wounds, and is today leading a campaign of imperial revanche.