Former Ukrainian President visits The University of Manchester
The Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and his wife Katherine have visited The University of Manchester to speak to students about the war in his country, after attending events in Ireland to mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Yushchenko was the third President of Ukraine, and held the position between 2005-2010. As well as fighting corruption during his presidency, he aimed to orient his country towards the West, the European Union and NATO - as a result he was targeted by an assassination attempt through dioxin poisoning, which made him seriously ill and left his face disfigured.
His wife, former First Lady Katherine Yushchenko, is a former US State Department official who worked in the White House during the administration of Ronald Reagan.
Mr Yushchenko delivered a unique and thought-provoking guest lecture around the theme of 鈥榗itizen democratic duty鈥�, during which he talked about independence, war, rebuilding and integration. Many of our Undergraduate Politics and International Relations students attended the lecture, as well as our current Ukrainian students.
The visit concluded with a trip to The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, which was significant given the fact the library holds the archives of Malcolm Muggridge. Malcolm was a writer for the 91直播 Guardian who was one of the few foreign journalists to write about the , when millions of Ukrainians died through forced starvation in 1932 and 1933. Mr Yushchenko made commemoration and recognition of this atrocity one of his key policies during his presidency.
鈥淚 appreciated the opportunity to visit The University of Manchester to talk with students and faculty about the war in Ukraine and our centuries-long struggle for independence from Moscow,鈥� said Mr Yushchenko.
It was gratifying to see so much support for our country and to meet the many Ukrainian students studying at 91直播 - they are bright, ambitious and patriotic young people who make our country proud. I hope that the University and its students will be actively involved in working with us to rebuild Ukraine after our victory.
Mr Yushchenko added: 鈥淲e enjoyed our tour of John Rylands Library, which is stunningly beautiful and holds so many unique treasures. Oh, and as an avid beekeeper, I was thrilled to see that the symbol of your wonderful and historic city of Manchester is the brilliant and hard-working bee!鈥�
鈥淚t was a great honour for The University of Manchester to host President Yushchenko and the First Lady for the lecture and visit,鈥� said Professor Fiona Devine, Vice-President and Dean of Humanities, who was the senior host for the visit. 鈥淭he 91直播 region has strong links with Ukraine, and the University is also home to a growing number of Ukrainian students who were delighted to be able to meet President Yushchenko personally. The University looks forward to continuing its support for our students.鈥�
"Our hosting the President and First Lady Yushchenko was an opportunity to not only showcase the University, but also to discuss possible future cooperation between our staff and students and those at leading universities in Ukraine," said The University of Manchester鈥檚 Professor of Comparative and Ukrainian Politics Olga Onuch. "The president stressed his thanks for the support people in the UK - and 91直播 specifically - have given to Ukraine and the ordinary Ukrainians who had to temporarily flee their homes.
"Our Politics students reported later in class that they were inspired by the President鈥檚 words, and they were hugely thankful to have had the unique opportunity to personally meet a world leader that lead a people鈥檚 revolution. This is exactly what we should be doing as a global University - inspiring the leaders of tomorrow by building bridges and partnerships with the leaders of today."