CANADIAN FRIENDS OF UKRAINE КАНАДСЬКЕ ТОВАРИСТВО ПРИЯТЕЛІВ УКРАЇНИ AMIS CANADIENS DE L'UKRAINE Home | About CFU | Canada-Ukraine Relations | International Statesmen Dinner | Profile in Courage Dinner | Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Centre | Crimea Project | Canada-Ukraine Library Centres | Teachers Awards Project | Election Projects | Meet our Board Members | Our Honorary Patrons | Famine Genocide Awareness Projects | Famine Genocide Lecture 2006 | Coming Events | Recent Newsletters | Press Releases | Contact CFU | Support CFU

In 2003, Canadian Friends of Ukraine hosted the first International Statesmen Dinner at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The event welcomed a multitude of prominent Canadian and Ukrainian political leaders, journalists, and diplomats.

The event was established to recognize individuals who have demonstrated vision in the realm of public affairs and international statesmanship and made a lasting contribution to the promotion of democracy.

To coincide with the 70th Anniversary of the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine, a special Award was presented to renowned author and internationally-syndicated journalist Eric Margolis, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of foreign affairs and international journalism.

Introductory remarks were delivered by award-winning Canadian broadcast journalist, Peter Mansbridge, anchor and chief correspondent of CBC News.

The historic event played host to a high-profile delegation of political figures from Ukraine, including the Hon. Yulia Tymoshenko (former Prime Minister of Ukraine), the Hon. Borys Tarasyuk (Minister of Foreign Affairs), the Hon. Serhiy Holovaty (former Minister of Justice), and Stepan Khmara (parliamentarian and leading human rights advocate).

Canadian dignitaries included Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Senator Art Eggleton, the Hon. Allan Rock, Toronto Mayor David Miller, and other Canadian parliamentarians.

Recipients of the Award established by Canadian Friends of Ukraine are individuals from the world of politics, journalism, business, academia, philanthropy, and public service.

	Left to right: Teodosiy Buyniak, Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Ontario Inter- governmental Affairs Minister), Hon. Borys Tarasyuk (Ukraine's Foreign Minister), Margareta Shpir, Toronto Mayor David Miller, Eric Margolis (Award Recipient), Yulia Tymoshenko (current Prime Minister of Ukraine), CFU Pres. Jurij Darewych, and Andrew Chorny.
	CFU President Jurij Darewych (right) greets foreign affairs columnist and the evening's Award Recipient, Eric Margolis.
	Among the  guests attending the International Statesmen Dinner: from left to right: CBC National News Anchor Peter Mansbridge,  Master of Ceremonies Lisa Shymko, the Hon. Art Eggleton, and syndicated foreign affairs columnist Eric Margolis.
	The Hon. Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's current Prime Minister, addressing the Canadian Friends of Ukraine International Statesmen Dinner.
	The Honorary Consul General of Ukraine, Erast Huculak, Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Honorary Chair of the International Statesmen Dinner, and Mrs. Dolores Huculak.
	The Hon. Borys Tarasyuk, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs (2005-2006), delivers his address.
	Syndicated foreign affairs columnist Eric Margolis, Dinner Master of Ceremonies Lisa Shymko, and guest speaker, the Hon. Yulia Tymoshenko.