This year’s Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) Congress 2026, held under the theme “Freedom Doesn’t Stay Silent,” brought together more than 50 students, alumni, community leaders, and advocates from across Canada for several unforgettable days of learning, connection, advocacy, and celebration.
From the very first evening, the energy of Congress was undeniable. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about each Ukrainian Student Organization (USO) within SUSK and the initiatives they had led throughout the year. It was a meaningful start to the weekend, allowing students from different universities and regions to connect, exchange ideas, and see the strength of Ukrainian student leadership across Canada.
On the second day, Congress programming moved to the National Arts Centre, where His Excellency Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, opened the day. His remarks emphasized the importance of youth leadership, advocacy, and continued support for Ukraine during these challenging times.
The day continued with two academic sessions led by Dominique Arel, Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Ottawa, and Olga Onuch, Professor in Comparative and Ukrainian Politics at the University of Manchester. Their sessions offered important academic perspectives on Ukraine, identity, politics, and the role of civic engagement in shaping public understanding.
Later, Congress participants heard from Ruslan Kurt, President of the Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars, and Riana Teifukova, Ph.D. in International Relations. Both speakers sparked meaningful dialogue surrounding human rights, advocacy, and the experiences of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars impacted by Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
As part of SUSK’s advocacy efforts for Crimean prisoners of war and political prisoners illegally imprisoned by Russia, Congress participants also took part in a letter-writing initiative dedicated to 22-year-old political prisoner Appaz Kurtamet. Appaz has been illegally imprisoned by Russia since 2022 and has been subjected to torture by his Russian jailors.
Olha Kuryshko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, also shared a dedicated five-minute video addressed to Congress attendees. In her message, she spoke about the importance of the mentorship initiative, offered a glimpse into Appaz’s life, and explained the power behind every letter written in support of political prisoners.
To close the Friday panels, Angela Kalyta, a member of the Russian Embassy Protesters, spoke to students about the importance of activism, resilience, community mobilization, and continuing to fight war fatigue. The Russian Embassy Protesters have demonstrated outside the Russian Embassy in Ottawa every weekday since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
After a compelling day of speakers, workshops, and advocacy, attendees had the opportunity to explore Ottawa while the NAC venue was transformed into a beautiful space for SUSK Alumni Night. The evening celebrated the importance of intergenerational connection within the Ukrainian Canadian community.
SUSK Alumni Night brought together former and current SUSK members, as well as members of the Ottawa community, creating opportunities for mentorship, networking, and meaningful conversations between generations of student leaders. Stories, experiences, and advice were shared throughout the evening, reinforcing the lasting impact that SUSK continues to have on its members long after graduation.
Saturday’s programming focused on historical education and remembrance. The day began with a presentation led by Marta Baziuk, Executive Director of the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium, on “Famine as Genocide: The Holodomor in Ukraine.” The session highlighted the work of the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC), an initiative of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), which recently launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) exploring the Holodomor and the broader history of famine as a weapon of genocide.
Following election speeches, students departed on an excursion to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The visit offered another opportunity for reflection, historical learning, and deeper engagement with the themes of memory, sacrifice, and resilience.
During Congress, SUSK also elected its new Board of Directors, marking the beginning of another year of student leadership and service to the Ukrainian Canadian community. The newly elected Board has already had the opportunity to begin discussing its goals and priorities for the year ahead. Looking forward, the Board plans to meet in person in Toronto on August 15 to engage in meaningful conversations, set clear goals, and develop a strong plan for SUSK’s work in the coming year.
After a weekend filled with important discussions and leadership development, attendees gathered for the SUSK Zabava Night. The evening was filled with music, dancing, laughter, and celebration of Ukrainian culture and identity. A live performance by TYSK Band made the night even more memorable, bringing everyone together on the dance floor and creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
While SUSK Congress would normally conclude on Sunday after elections and the closing of the SUSK Annual General Meeting, this year was different. Thanks to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, SUSK participants had the opportunity to stay in Ottawa for an extra night and take part in UCC Advocacy Day on Parliament Hill.
This experience allowed young Ukrainian Canadian leaders to engage directly in advocacy efforts, strengthen their voices, and contribute to important conversations affecting both the Ukrainian Canadian community and Ukraine itself. It was a powerful reminder that student leadership does not end on campus. It continues in community spaces, public institutions, and national conversations.
SUSK Congress 2026 demonstrated that student leadership extends far beyond university involvement. It is rooted in advocacy, education, cultural preservation, remembrance, and community building. Most importantly, this year’s Congress reminded everyone involved that freedom, identity, and solidarity do not remain silent, and neither does the next generation of Ukrainian Canadian leaders.