On February 29, the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations, Lviv Polytechnic National University, presented textbooks and manuals for representatives of Ukrainian Saturday schools abroad. The Ukrainian educators from different countries of the world, including Lyuba Lyubchyk, the Chair of the UWC International Educational Coordinating Council, attended the event. The event took place on the initiative of the educational commissions of WFUWO and UWC IECC.
Lyuba Lyubchyk began the presentation with a welcome speech. The Chair of the UWC International Educational Coordinating Council noted that IECDR is a reliable and long-time partner of the Congress and WFUWO, and the textbooks created by the Institute’s employees are always of high quality.
Iryna Kliuchkovska, Director of IECDR, emphasized that Ukrainian Saturday schools abroad are schools that shape Ukrainian identity and have tremendous experience, and therefore they should be supported in every possible way. «Our Institute is, perhaps, the only organization in Ukraine that has been cooperating with Ukrainian Saturday and Sunday schools that teach a cycle of Ukrainian studies subjects to children who live permanently abroad». She also noted that for IECDR it is important to maintain a constant dialogue with teachers abroad, so this year in August the Institute is organizing the Third World Forum of Ukrainian Studies Saturday and Sunday Schools (format – offline in Lviv, August 21–23, 2024).
Oksana Horda, a senior employee of IECDR, PhD, presented the student’s book «Key to Ukraine: Cities and People», levels B2-C1, published in 2020. The book introduces students to outstanding figures, places and cultural phenomena of Ukraine. Oksana Halaichuk, PhD, presented the book «Stories from Lesia’s Life» (2020) which was created on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lesia Ukrainka and is dedicated to the bright memory of Anna Kysil. The book is designed for students, pupils of Saturday and Sunday schools of Ukrainian studies abroad and everyone who wants to improve their knowledge of Ukrainian as a foreign language at the B1 level.
Oksana Trumko, PhD, spoke about the Institute’s new book – «Catch Skovoroda», which introduces the figure of Hryhoriy Skovoroda and the iconic places of his travels. In the book, Skovoroda is depicted as our contemporary, who uses a smartphone and GPS; he is dressed up smartly and speaks modern Ukrainian. The geography of his travels covers not only Ukrainian cities and villages, but also Prešov and Tokaj.
Nazar Danchyshyn, PhD, presented the project «Art Walks with IECDR». The book was designed for students of higher levels of Ukrainian who want to get acquainted with modern Ukrainian culture. Each section of the manual contains video recordings of Nazar Danchyshyn’s conversations with Ukrainian cultural figures and tasks to them. Halyna Boiko, PhD, presented a novelty – the alphabet «My friends» for 4–6 year old children. The manual consists of two printed parts and an additional book for the teacher (online).
Philologist Olha Rusnak spoke about important non-publishing projects of IECDR – the International School of Ukrainian Studies «Step to Ukraine» (to be held this year on July 15–26) and the Ukrainian Educational Universe portal – a platform for informing and exchanging ideas between educators from abroad.
At the end of the presentation, everyone could ask questions to the author’s team of IECDR.
We are sincerely grateful to WFUWO and UWC IECC for the invitation, and hope for a fruitful continuation of our cooperation!