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Celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day: Shared Stories of Community Activism and Resilience from the War Zone

Free Virtual Event

On Demand Video

Event is free and open to the public. Suggested donation of $50, of which 100% will go towards supporting the community partners represented at the event.https://www.companiesforcauses.org/gifts_of_love_for_ukraine

REGISTER

August 24, 2022 marks the 31st year of Ukraine's Declaration of Independence, and 181 days since Russian forces launched a major escalation of the war, which dates back to 2014. As the war drags on, is the American public losing sensitivity with what's happening in Ukraine?

In this candid conversation with Ukrainian community leaders, moderated by Simon Locke, Vice President of the Foreign Press Association & Founder & CEO, CommunicationsMatch™, we will explore how the public mood is shifting on both sides of the Atlantic. Moving the conversation away from politics, the shared stories will shine light on the sheer resilience and community activism of the Ukrainian people in the face of such a crisis, and explore what can (still) be done to support those who chose to stay behind and serve.

SPEAKERS

  • Ivan Bilik, National Project Manager, Youth Movement "Be Free"

  • Oleksiy Marchenko, Executive Director, Youth Movement "Be Free"

  • Maria Malachinska, Director, Lviv Regional Clinical Perinatal Center

  • MODERATOR: Simon Locke, Vice President of the Foreign Press Association & Founder & CEO, CommunicationsMatch™

  • Translation Services provided by: Angela Reno

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Simon Erskine Locke

MODERATOR - Simon Locke, Vice President of the Foreign Press Association & Founder & CEO, CommunicationsMatch™

Since its founding in 1918, theForeign Press Association(FPA) in the United States has been at the forefront in supporting international journalism. It provides access to newsmakers, advocates for members, offers credentials, and supports the next generation of journalists through scholarships. Over the last three years, the FPA has conducted more than 100 briefings for the foreign press and international audiences with global leaders and experts.      

CommunicationsMatch™’s search & online RFP tools are used by companies to find, shortlist and engage PR, digital, and marketing agencies, consultants, and freelancers with industry and communications expertise that match needs. CommunicationsMatch has partnerships with the Public Relations Society of America, Capitol Communicator, CommPRO.biz, Researchscape, RFP Associates and diverse industry associations to support diversity and inclusion.

Locke is a former head of corporate communications functions at Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and Prudential Financial. He has founded communications agencies and written more than 100 articles on communications and marketing topics, and is the author of research reports and guides on the agency search process.

In Japan, he co-founded “FIT For Charity” – an annual financial industry charity run that has to date raised close to $10 million for under-served charitable organizations. He has lived in seven countries and speaks French and basic Japanese. 

Ivan Bilik, National Project Manager, Youth Movement "Be Free"

Ivan Bilikis the National Project Manager of the Youth Movement "Be Free". In this capacity he oversees humanitarian aid projects for the victims of war. In his volunteering capacity, he also coordinates a number of special projects, servicing children and youth.    

Oleksiy Marchenko, Executive Director, Youth Movement "Be Free"

Oleksiy Marchenko is a community activist, and a youth pastor, based in Zhytomir Region in central Ukraine. Marchenko was elected to serve as the Executive Director of Youth Movement "Be Free" in 2018. In 2021 he was elected as a Special Adviser for Community Affairs for a Representative to Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). Since the military invasion by Russian forces, Youth Movement "Be Free", on the basis of its Family Center in Brusiliv, Zhytomir Region, became a place of refuge for thousands of families escaping horrific violence and destruction.  

Maria Malachinska, Director, Lviv Regional Clinical Perinatal Center

Maria Malachinskaserves as the Director of the Lviv Regional Clinical Perinatal Center. She brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the field of medicine, specializing in reproductive health, gynecology and perinatal health. Malachinska was recently recognized for her services to the community by the Lviv Regional Government Administration in 2021.