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Having the status of an observer, Iryna admitted, limited her active participation in various standing com mittees whose sessions she attended. The committee “Child and Family” agreed that the concept of family varies from culture and must be accepted as it stands. Nevertheless, despite differences the committee handled problems common to all — rearing children, education, unemployment, and the impact modern progress has on children and family life (a problem faced acutely by Third World countries). Iryna also attended the sessions of the Law and the Status of Women committee, where discussions focused on rape, the status of women in government, prostitu tion, etc. Although Iryna and Mrs. Rozankowsky were not al lowed a voice officially, they did speak privately to many people. They did their job behind the scenes, explaining the plight of Ukraine, as well as the work of the UNWLA. They found many people informed and sympathetic to the Ukrainian cause. One of the highlights of the Conference was a formal banquet—evening gowns, jewels, the works. Iryna said she wore, what she calls her “ Mother Ukraine dress”, a black sequined gown with beaded embroidery. She showed me the dress — a striking garment, which Iryna admitted, made a big hit that evening. At the banquet, members of delegations were seated with people from other groups, so that everyone had a chance to meet someone new. Iryna recalled that the entrance of various distinguished individuals of the dais, was heralded by the music of Scottish bagpipers. What a marvelous flavor of the British Isles! “ I have addresses of the many wonderful people I met at the Conference and I promised to keep in touch,” Iryna said wistfully, perhaps thinking of a very long Christmas card list. She also went on to say that she found an easy commeraderie with women from Austra lia and New Zealand. A few of them live in New York and are part of their countries’ delegations to the UN missions. Needless to say, they all made plans to meet in the UN coffee shop. Meeting people, talking to them, gaining their support and sympathy for our cause — these are the main objectives to strive for when attending international conferences, as delegates and observers. As a respite from the daily working sessions, partici pants of the Conference had a chance to tour one of the many historical landmarks near London. Iryna was in the group that visited Winchester Cathedral, the oldest in Britain. It was completed in 1122 and is awesome, magnificent and incredibly beautiful, according to Iryna. She said that this side trip allowed her but a tiny glimpse of England, and its rich’history and culture. After dinner, on an average conference day, following the work of the committees, our three UNWLA sojourners took in the sights and sounds of London. Iryna relived one incident when Mrs. Rozankowsky and she, while shopping, became lost. Though both were upset and preoccupied trying to find their way back to familiar ter ritory, Iryna listened attentively, hoping that our presi dent’s humming would not change into the dreaded monotonal whistle. She knew if that happened, there would be trouble. When in London it is not difficult to run into royalty. The representatives to the Conference had it easy, of course, and were invited to a reception at St. James Palace which was attended by Her Majesty Queen Eliza beth the Queen Mother. Iryna spoke with “Queen Mum”, as the Britons call their favorite royal person, and was told by the gracious lady “it’s so nice of you to come”. One of the duties of the ICW Conference was to elect a new slate of officers. Dr. Sook Ja Hong of South Korea accepted the post of president. UNWLA represen tatives gave her a book about pysanky from the Ukrain ian Museum of America as a congratulatory gift. On Monday, April 29th, news of the nuclear accident at Chornobyl was reported on British radio and televi sion. “This news was very disturbing to all of us”, stated Iryna “and basically there was very little of it.” The Ukrainian women with the cooperation of other con cerned parties, worked within committees and the Con ference to have a “Statement of Concern” about the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear plant site put on record as part of the official deliberations. While summing-up her impressions and feelings about the Conference, Iryna confessed that “...Always, in the back of my mind, during such occassions, I like to think about what we, as Ukrainians can accomplish to further our cause and concerns. I must admit, during the flight home, my conscience and I had a ‘chat’ — did I, as a representative of my organization, really do everything possible for our benefit, to justify the expenses and the time this venture entailed?” It is of the utmost importance to the growth and development of our organization to initiate and further international contacts. Through this network our cause can come to the attention of organizations and individ uals whose influence can benefit our interests. The work done in London by Mrs. Rozankowsky, Dr. Cho- miak and Iryna Kyrowycky has opened one more door for us as Ukrainians, as members-of UNWLA, as women. MARTA BACZYNSKY
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