Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2024-25, Udenrigsudvalget 2024-25
UPN Alm.del Bilag 27, URU Alm.del Bilag 35
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Ukrainian World Congress
Established in 1967, the
Ukrainian World Congress (UWC)
is the global voice for the Ukrainian people
worldwide. As an international non-governmental organization, UWC represents the interests of over 20
million Ukrainians in the diaspora, unite Ukrainian communities and organizations in
over 80 countries,
and
work to support a democratic, prosperous, European Ukraine. The UWC is recognized by the United
Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status
and has a participatory status as an international non-governmental organization with the Council of
Europe.
On the 24th of February 2022 the world order changed dramatically as the Russian army invaded Ukraine.
The focus on Ukraine and its fight against the Russian invasion has taken center stage with an outpouring of
global support for Ukraine and the willingness
of leading countries to back Ukraine’s fight for
independence.
The role of The Ukrainian World Congress has also dramatically changed. The congress came to the aid of
Territorial Defense Forces through
Unite With Ukraine
campaign however over it has heard from Ukrainian
officials that the global Ukrainian voice must take on the role of strong political advocacy. These efforts
currently have been focused on granting Ukraine EU Candidacy, Sanctions on Russia and appeals for more
weapons delivered urgently.
Paul Grod, UWC President
Paul Grod is President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC). He served as its Vice President for 10 years
prior to his election in November 2018. During that time Paul Grod was responsible for many key initiatives
and chaired a number of committees and projects including several international election observation
missions to Ukraine and UWC’s Council in Support of Ukraine, among others. Professionally, Paul Grod is a
lawyer and business leader. He is President & CEO of Rodan Energy Solutions, a leading North American
energy management company. Prior to founding Rodan Energy Solutions, Paul was a corporate and
investment banker with CIBC World Markets and a lawyer with Gowling WLG, a leading global law firm
where he practiced corporate finance and M&A law. Paul Grod is past-President of the Ukrainian Canadian
Congress, which coordinates and represents the interests of one of Canada’s largest ethnocultural
communities (1.4 million). Paul Grod is a recipient of many awards and recognitions, including:
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition for his significant contributions an
achievements in service to Canada;
Ukraine’s 25th Anniversary Jubilee Medal –
awarded personally by the President of Ukraine for his
significant personal contribution to strengthening the international authority of Ukraine, promoting
its history, heritage and contemporary achievements;
Shevchenko Medal of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for outstanding contribution to the
development of the Ukrainian Canadian community;
Top 100 (#21) people influencing Canada’s global future by Embassy Magazine & Hill Times’ Power
and Influence magazine;
URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 35: Invitation til møde med Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian Congress (UWC)
One of 13 Canadians (only non-government official) sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin
and barred from entering Russia
Paul Grod is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and holds Bachelor of Political Science, Bachelor of
Laws, and Master of Business Administration degrees. Paul is married and has four children.