“It is crucial for us now not only to speak about what is Ukrainian, but also to distinguish it from what is Russian. We must literally cleanse each name of imperial layers and prove that these are not ‘Soviet’ writers or artists, but Ukrainian ones. This mission is what our new international project—the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies—is called to achieve. With its help, we are developing and establishing new centers around the world for the study of Ukraine and its inseparable part—Crimea,” emphasized First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska during the International Cultural Diplomacy Forum.

The First Lady also noted that the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies enables educational institutions around the world to offer courses in Ukrainian language and culture, as well as to establish dedicated departments of Ukrainian studies, conferences, and summer schools.

It is worth recalling that the creation of the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies was first announced by First Lady Olena Zelenska at a conference in Washington. She highlighted the need to create Crimean Tatar studies to honor Ukraine’s Indigenous People, who were enslaved by Russia and are still facing repression today. The goal of the coalition is to unite initiatives and programs worldwide and to promote the development of Ukrainian studies, including Crimean Tatar studies, to ensure the accurate and professional study of Ukraine’s history and culture.