Appeal for interested volunteers to be election observers in Ukraine

On March 1, 2004, UCC National announced a project designed to coordinate the participation of volunteers from Canada to fulfill the role of internationally accredited observers during the presidential elections in Ukraine October 2004. The slogan for the project: Together we can make a difference!

Project Goals:

• To increase the number of international election observers from the west, particularly from Canada, during the presidential elections in Ukraine. This will contribute to ensuring the vote is conducted in a fair and democratic manner.
• To mobilize the Ukrainian community in Canada to help ensure that Ukrainians in Ukraine are able to vote freely, thus choosing their country’s future path.

We appeal to UCC Provincial Councils, UCC Branches and UCC member organizations to:

• Distribute information to members and the community at large;
• Organize meetings with member organizations and membership, emphasizing the importance of this project;
• Sponsor, in full or in part, the participation of interested members;
• Initiate fundraising campaigns to assist with the realization of this project.

Commitments:

• Volunteers will be required to cover their travel expenses including transportation, accommodation, visa, medical insurance, etc.
• UCC will apply to obtain international accreditation for observers and organize observer training.

Let’s demonstrate the strength and commitment of the Ukrainian community in Canada! Our participation in this project will also draw the Canadian media’s attention to the significance of these elections not only for Ukraine’s future, but safeguarding stability in the entire region.

The UCC’s National Head Office will accept applications from interested volunteers until May 15, 2004.