On 15 November in Washington, DC, SCM in partnership with the Museum of Civilian Voices, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, and Meridian International Centre hosted an interactive cultural exhibition and panel discussion, Partners on the Frontline: Ukraine-U.S. Fight for Peace, Justice, Global Security, and Cultural Resilience.
The event reminded the world once again about Russia’s deliberate efforts to undermine Ukrainian culture and the core human values. The West underscored that the culture, diplomacy, and economic growth are the most essential tools in the fight for Ukraine-U.S. shared values.
The panel discussion participants included the Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Yevheniy Maloletka, the Ukrainian military paramedic, volunteer, goodwill ambassador Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, SCM’s Director of Public Relations and Communications, Supervisory Board Member at the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Natalia Yemchenko, the founder of GogolFest Vladyslav Troitskyi, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO of Meridian International Centre, as well as Ambassador James K. Glassman, Chairman & CEO at Glassman Enterprises, LLC.
The First Secretary of Embassy of Ukraine in the USA leading public and cultural diplomacy Kateryna Smagliy also spoke at the event, highlighting that Russia’s actions in Ukraine have destroyed 1,709 heritage sites and 92 museums to date. These damages have already reached $7 million. “I feel honoured to have the opportunity to represent the embassy. To be here and share their stories of true heroes who were not afraid to be in the spotlight… who at a critical moment for our country decided not to hide in the shadows. They encourage me and motivate me every day,” said Kateryna Smagliy.
Art and culture can best unveil the true colours of war in Ukraine. The Partners on the Frontline event provided a platform where international communities underscored the critical importance of alliance in fighting for the traditional core values, independence, and cultural resilience for the safe and prosperous future.
The best way and the only way to understand who we are and where we are from is through our culture. Ukraine is a state with its own culture and history,” stated Natalia Yemchenko.
PROFILE
Meridian International Centre is a nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy centre founded in 1960. Its mission is to strengthen engagement between the U.S. and the world to find solutions in addressing global challenges. The centre partners with the U.S. government, the private sector, and the diplomatic community.
Since 2014, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s Museum of Civilian Voices has dedicated itself to gathering personal accounts from Ukrainian civilians impacted by the war. This invaluable archive has grown to encompass more than 90,000 stories.
SCM is Ukraine’s largest investment group with a global reach. SCM portfolio of enterprises and holdings spans across Ukraine and extends internationally to Cyprus, the Netherlands, Italy, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA. The sole owner and investor of SCM is Rinat Akhmetov, a distinguished Ukrainian businessman and philanthropist.
