Five Canadian Universities Join the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies

First Lady Olena Zelenska's Visit to Canada

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: During her trip to Canada, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska witnessed five Canadian universities signing memorandums to become members of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies. This coalition connects 100 universities across 27 countries, with another 100 institutions expressing interest in joining. Established in 2024, the coalition aims to combat Russian disinformation while promoting deeper research into Ukraine’s history, culture, language, literature, and contemporary life.

Institutions Joining the Coalition

The Canadian signatories include:

• Toronto Metropolitan University
• University of Alberta
• Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies
• University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy
• McEwan University
• Ukrainian Museum of Canada

During her visit, Zelenska met with Canada’s First Lady, Diana Fox Carney, expressing gratitude for Canada’s active role in international initiatives. She emphasized that

“Russia is not only fighting us with weapons but also waging an information war against Ukrainian history, culture, language, and identity. Therefore, understanding Ukraine today is also part of our defense.”

Highlighting the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, Zelenska shared that it has successfully repatriated 2,525 children and young people abducted by Russia. She noted,

“Usually, in other countries, I have to explain why this matters and stress that knowledge about Ukraine is vital for the entire free world.”

However, she pointed out that in Canada, there is no need to persuade audiences, as the Canadian community has long supported Ukrainian culture.

Additionally, Toronto introduced a Ukrainian-language audio guide on its City Sightseeing Worldwide tour route. This marks the 126th audio guide in the global project, covering 59 countries. Zelenska remarked that

“the Ukrainian language resonates worldwide, sharing stories about landmarks and events important to all civilized nations.”

She stressed that the voice of a people fighting against evil must be heard loudly and freely, fostering support and new friendships.

On August 24, 2026, Kyiv hosted the sixth meeting of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, focusing on social resilience. Zelenska announced plans to continue this discussion at a special event during the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting the importance of shared experiences in overcoming challenges.

The inclusion of Canadian universities in this coalition represents a significant stride in strengthening international partnerships and sharing knowledge about Ukrainian heritage and history. It also reflects Canada’s commitment to countering Russian aggression and disinformation. Collaboration among academic institutions worldwide fosters a richer understanding of Ukrainian issues and cultural achievements, which is crucial amid ongoing global challenges.