Holodomor Awareness · Since 1933

Holodomor Awareness Toolkit

For more than ninety years, the UNWLA has worked to make the world remember. Choose how you want to take part — learn, teach, commemorate, advocate, or connect.

Our history

Raising awareness since 1933

In November 1933, the National Board of the UNWLA and NY area branches formed a committee to disseminate awareness about the Famine in Ukraine. Correspondent for the YMCA, Florence G. Caccisit, and writer, Carvet Wells, accepted the invitation to join the effort.

With the assistance of Congressman John Delaney and others, the 73rd Congress passed Resolution 399 in May 1934 which stated in part that the “famine was a means of decreasing the population of Ukraine, to destroy Ukrainians politically, culturally, and…[to destroy] their national rights.”

Today the UNWLA is an affiliate member of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide Awareness.

Excerpt from the XXVIII UNWLA Convention

Remembering together

Illustration: archived photos of UNWLA-led protests over the years to bring awareness and commemorate victims of Holodomor.

The work undertaken by the UNWLA includes:

  • 01Raising awareness and recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide through requests for gubernatorial proclamations
  • 02Holding Holodomor exhibits and educational lectures
  • 03Advocating for the inclusion of the Holodomor in genocide studies

The toolkit

Ways to raise awareness

Every resource is color-coded by how it helps. Start wherever fits you, your branch, or your classroom.

Learn

Deepen your knowledge

Free book · 2023

Holodomor, the Genocide of the Ukrainians: A History with Sources

By Dr. Victoria A. Malko, California State University, Fresno. Co-sponsored by the UNWLA and the Naftali Foundation, this open-access history pairs scholarship with survivor sources — free to read, download, and share with attribution.

Read the book

Free online course · Coursera

Famine as Genocide: The Holodomor in Ukraine

A self-paced course from the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium at the University of Alberta. Explore the Holodomor through the lenses of empire, genocide, food security, and disinformation — and its relevance to russia’s war on Ukraine today.

  • 14 modules
  • Beginner level
  • Free
Enroll for free
Teach

Bring it into the classroom

Holodomor teaching materials for teachers and students

Vera Andrushkiw, former President of the Detroit Regional Council, has created Holodomor teaching materials for teachers and students. You can view and download the English language presentation at the following link: http://bit.ly/2FBAVYa

View the presentation
Commemorate

Organize a remembrance event

Holodomor Remembrance — UNWLA Toolkit cover

Holodomor Commemoration Toolkit

Simultaneously with supporting international, diaspora-led initiatives, UNWLA members have been organizing local commemorative events and educational initiatives to raise awareness of the Holodomor and advocate for its global recognition as the genocide of the Ukrainian people.

Following its mission to support members and the wider Ukrainian-American community, UNWLA has developed a Holodomor Commemoration Toolkit — a resource offering strategies and ideas for raising awareness and organizing meaningful remembrance events.

Download the Toolkit
Advocate

Push for recognition

Request a proclamation

Ask your governor to proclaim Holodomor Remembrance and recognize the Holodomor as a genocide.

Host an exhibit or lecture

Bring a Holodomor exhibit or educational lecture to your library, school, parish, or community center.

Champion genocide studies

Advocate for including the Holodomor in genocide studies curricula in your state and local schools.