WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Group (TWG), an association of Ukrainian-American professionals, hosted John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International, at its latest distinguished speaker series luncheon held at the historic DACOR Bacon House in the nation’s capital. Laryssa Courtney, President of TWG, opened the event, welcoming participants and noting that the organization that she leads is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Also addressing the audience was Denys Sienik, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA, who commended TWG for the work it has done over the decades in terms supporting Ukraine and the strengthening of US-Ukraine relations, including through advocacy work aimed at bolstering U.S. assistance for Ukraine in its current battle against Russia’s genocidal full-scale invasion. The Washington Group’s efforts are still very much needed, “do not stop” he said. Mr. Sienik also expressed appreciation for the organization’s promotion of Ukrainian arts through TWG’s Cultural Fund’s concert series. He also thanked TWG for sponsoring interns at the Embassy of Ukraine under the auspices of its Fellowship Fund.
Alexa Chopivsky, TWG Events Director, introduced the keynote speaker of the event – John Hewko, the CEO of Rotary International, a global service organization with headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, which works on such challenges as fighting disease, supporting education, protecting the environment and fostering economic development at the community level. He described various aspects of the activities of Rotary which has 45,000 local clubs with 1.2 million members, the majority of them outside of the United States, including in Ukraine. Rotary clubs around the world have mobilized to provide the equivalent of $80 million dollars-worth of aid to Ukraine, ranging from taking in refugees to providing medical and humanitarian assistance, he said.
Mr. Hewko, a Ukrainian-American who worked in Kyiv as the executive secretary of the International Advisory Council to the Ukrainian Parliament in 1991-1992, devoted much of his talk to the critical role of civil society in Ukraine’s democratic and social development throughout the past three decades of Ukrainian independence and particularly in the current war effort. Civil society has been a crucial source of Ukraine’s resilience in the war, he said, and will be a key force in driving and implementing Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. The leader of Rotary International believes that the promise of accession to the European Union in the near future will help motivate Ukrainians to take on difficult reforms, including those that facilitate the fight against corruption.
Author: Adrian Karmazyn