MINISTER’S TRIP TO UKRAINE BENEFITS PROVINCE

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz has returned from Ukraine where he renewed an education agreement between Saskatchewan and Chernivtsi Oblast, a region in western Ukraine. The four-year agreement will ensure the continuation of international activities in education such as high school and post-secondary student exchanges and skill development initiatives through Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions.

"Visiting Ukraine demonstrated our province's commitment to the important collaboration among our education partners which was begun in 1977," Krawetz said. "Through the agreement's renewal, Saskatchewan people will continue to gain valuable insights in international collaboration through the experiences gained in working with Ukraine. Our work together strengthens learning opportunities and cultural ties that promote awareness and understanding among students, faculty and business partners in both countries."

"Our educational connections with Ukraine contribute to the development of a global perspective within our post-secondary institutions and have an impact on our government's efforts to promote Saskatchewan internationally, particularly among the next generation of business and community leaders," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said.

In his capacity as provincial Minister of Education, Krawetz met with students, educators, and faculty from Chernivtsi Oblast who have participated in exchanges with Saskatchewan. The visit also provided the opportunity to:

• tour educational facilities, including a daycare centre, a pre-school for visually-impaired children, and schools in both rural and urban settings;
• discuss enhanced summer program opportunities for Saskatchewan post-secondary students through the Ternopil National Pedagogical University and the Ramon Hnatyshyn Canadian Studies Centre at Chernivtsi National University;
• explore future opportunities for resource development and international skills-training initiatives using technology; and
• promote Saskatchewan as a learning destination for international students and as a potential research partner with institutions such as the National Agriculture University.

While in Kyiv, Krawetz met with project representatives of two successful Saskatchewan-Ukraine initiatives that are funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Facility for Agriculture Reform and Modernization Program (FARM), which began in 2003, supports Ukraine's agriculture endeavours in a market economy and has resulted in dramatically increased farm machinery sales and other agricultural services from Saskatchewan to the large Ukrainian market. The Decentralized Management of Skills Training Project, an initiative of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), strives to develop a practical, decentralized skills training system which will respond to local needs and contribute to the development of sound governance structures in Ukraine. Effective training models have been developed in six skill areas: carpentry, welding, machinery, food processing, construction and woodworking.

A highlight of the Deputy Premier's visit to Kyiv was the opportunity to lay a memorial wreath at the Holodomor monument, accompanied by Canada's newly-appointed Ambassador to Ukraine, His Excellency Daniel Caron.

Since its independence, Ukraine has sought international recognition of the Holodomor Famine-Genocide, the infamous 1932-33 event where millions of Ukrainian people died as a result of starvation forced upon them by the Soviet regime. Saskatchewan was the first province to pass legislation in recognition of the Holodomor as an act of Genocide. On May 14, 2008 Saskatchewan passed The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, which follows Ukraine's practice to observe the fourth Saturday in November as the official day of remembrance for people who died as a result of the Holodomor and its oppression. In late May of 2008, The Canadian House of Commons passed a motion recognizing the Holodomor as genocide.

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie Mclean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@gov.sk.ca