Annual
Meeting, Election of Officers,
&
Guest Presentation
"Rusyns in Ukraine: A
Struggle for Minority Rights"
Elaine
Rusinko, Ph.D., Mikulaš Popovič, MD, Ph.D., and Victor Haburchak,
Ph.D., officers of the C-RS National Capital Chapter, will
present the program to members, friends, and guests. They have
visited foreign embassies, U.S. and E.U. officials, and members
of Congress to call attention to this human rights issue.
Carpatho-Rusyns are recognized as a distinct nationality in the
neighboring countries of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and
Serbia. However, the government of Ukraine refuses to
acknowledge the existence of “our people” as a distinct national
minority living within its borders. Instead, it re-codes Rusyns
as a “sub-ethnic” group of Ukrainians. The human rights issue is
particularly important as Ukraine applies for membership in the
European Union and considers joining NATO, and also has
implications for Rusyns worldwide.
As a
result of the efforts of Rusyns both inside and outside Ukraine,
on March 7, 2007 Rusyns were recognized as a nationality in the
Transcarpathian Oblast of Ukraine. The impact of this decision
will be discussed, along with the current socio-cultural and
economic situation of Rusyns in Ukraine.
Before the
presentation, a beautiful photo-essay on Rusyns in
Transcarpathia by former chapter president Thomas Brenzovich
will be screened.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 – 2:00 P.M.
McLean
Governmental Center
Community Room
1437 Balls Hill Road
McLean,
Virginia 22101
Any C-RS Member interested in serving on the Board is asked to
contact Board Member Marta Popovičová
on 301-897-5107 or by Email at
Popovic@bellatlantic.net
by Thursday, May 31, 2007.
Reservations are not required but are requested for event
planning purposes.
Please call in or email the number in your party by 12 Noon,
Friday, June 1, 2007
Directions to the McLean
Governmental Center from Capital Beltway:
Take Dolly Madison (Chain Bridge Road/Route 123) north
towards McLean/Langley. Proceed west at intersection of
Route 123 and Lewinsville Road, and make immediate right
onto Balls Hill Road. McLean Governmental Center is to your
right (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/mclean_Lg.htm).
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