Open World Alumni Elected to Ukrainian Parliament

Yana Zinkevych, 24, of the European Solidarity is the recipient of the Hero of the People of Ukraine award, the Order of Merit, Third Class, the For Saving Lives award, and the Martial Prowess award.

Open World Alumni Elected to Ukrainian Parliament

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Open World Leadership Center, an agency of the U.S. Congress, is pleased to announce the success of its Ukrainian program alumni in Ukraine’s snap parliamentary elections held on July 21. The elections were called by the country’s newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky, after he dissolved parliament in May. Over twenty past and future Open World participants have been elected or re-elected to serve as Members of Parliament.

Representing a diverse political scope, including both single-mandate delegates and party lists, these Open World alumni have demonstrated key leadership roles within their government and communities. Among the newly elected Open World alumni are:

• Yana Zinkevych, “European Solidarity,” among the first MPs to use a wheelchair and recipient of the Hero of the People of Ukraine award, the Order of Merit, Third Class, the For Saving Lives award, and the Martial Prowess award.(Hosted in May 2019, Syracuse, NY)
• Ivan Krulko, “Batkivshchyna,” a re-elected MP, he served as chair of the Subcommittee on State Financial Control. Served as vice president of the Atlantic Association of Young Political Leaders. (Hosted in October 2017, Lawrence, KS)
• Iryna Vereschuk, “Servant of the People,” president, International Centre for Black Sea-Baltic Studies; former elected head of the Rava-Ruska City Council. (Hosted in May 2013, Charlotte, NC)
• Oksana Savchuk, “Svoboda,” the only female single mandate delegate form her party. Twice elected as Ivano-Frankivsk City Council Deputy and founder of the Western region of the NGO “Ukrainian Women’s Democracy Network.” (Hosted in May 2012, Omaha, NE)

Open World’s 20th Year
Founded in 1999 by Congress, the Open World Leadership Center maintains a vast network of more than 28,000 alumni in strategic countries including Russia, Ukraine, and others in the Balkans, Caucuses, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The Center supports legislative diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between emerging leaders and their U.S. counterparts. Program participants are provided with extensive exposure to American politics, accountable governance, and citizen diplomacy, while being home hosted by American families.

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