THE ACTIVITY OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF UKRAINIANS OF MOLDOVA AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF DIASPORA DIPLOMACY

Abstract

In contemporary international relations, the role of diasporas as non-state actors is increasing. Ukraine’s attention to its own diaspora has grown over recent years. This is explained by the need to establish interaction between the two sides in order to improve Ukraine’s image in the world and gain support from the international community. The Republic of Moldova is one of Ukraine’s closest neighboring countries, where a significant number of Ukrainians live, and various Ukrainian organizations and institutions operate. One of the leading organizations is the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM), established in 2021. Despite being relatively new, the Congress has established itself as a powerful organization, cooperating with Moldovan authorities and a number of international partners.
The purpose of this article is to characterize the activities of the NCUM as a representative of diaspora diplomacy. To this end, its work has been analyzed across several directions: consolidation of Moldovan Ukrainians, promotion of Ukrainian culture, and assistance to Ukrainian refugees in adapting to life in Moldova.
It is emphasized that the NCUM pays significant attention to uniting and developing the Ukrainian community in Moldova. As an umbrella organization, it is effectively the main representative of Moldovan Ukrainians, and the leader of the NCUM is the leader of the Ukrainian community in Moldova. In this context, the functioning of the Council of Mayors under the diaspora organization is also important. It is noted that the NCUM makes an important contribution to spreading knowledge about Ukraine in Moldova and cooperates closely with the Embassy of Ukraine. A key event in Ukrainian life can be considered the «Ukrainian Day in Moldova». The organization also places great importance on the development of Ukrainian education. Overall, such activities contribute to the preservation of Ukrainian national identity among Ukrainians in Moldova. Significant efforts of the NCUM regarding assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees are highlighted. In this area, in cooperation with Moldovan authorities and international organizations, a considerable number of projects and initiatives have been successfully implemented aimed at their social adaptation, children's education, employment, and more.
The author concludes that the activities of the NCUM clearly demonstrate manifestations of diaspora diplomacy, contribute to improving Moldovan-Ukrainian relations, and can serve as a model for Ukrainian organizations of a similar type in other foreign countries.