New website available for Ukrainian youth in Saskatchewan

by Marko Baran

The UCC-SPC has a new tool for Ukrainian youth in Saskatchewan. This summer, a website was developed specifically dealing with Ukrainian youth in Saskatchewan. The need for a website became apparent after it was noticed that Ukrainian youth in Saskatchewan did not have a central place where they could share ideas and information, stories and events.

In 2001 and 2002, at youth consultations held in Muenster and Saskatoon, five strategic directions were outlined to help promote the preservation of Ukrainian language and culture among youth in Saskatchewan. They included: Creating a Youth Network, Enhancing Ukrainian Education, Developing a Youth Communication Strategy, Researching Youth Interests, and Increasing the Number of Community Youth Events. The website will help achieve these directions through surveys; links to local, national and international websites dealing with Ukrainian youth; a calendar listing events that are targeted towards youth. There will also be various other sections designed to enhance the Ukrainian experience of Saskatchewan youth, and to act as a portal to Ukrainian information around the globe.

Using the website as an online registration form, the UCC-SPC will also be furthering its development of the Ukrainian Youth Directory, started back in 2002. By being a member of this directory, youth will be able to keep in touch with each other, and learn about opportunities and events previously not advertised. The directory will also be a means of gathering information about Ukrainian Saskatchewan youth. With the information gathered from youth signing up, the UCC-SPC can develop programs to help promote and preserve Ukrainian language and culture.

Currently, the website has some interactivities. There are monthly polls based on current events around the world and a bulletin board for posting questions or general requests. There is a picture and website of the month (submissions for both would be accepted), and a form for joining the directory.

By Saskatchewan’s centenary in 2005, we will have an extensive network of Ukrainian youth throughout the province, and most -- if not all of these strategic directions -- will be satisfied. The website can be viewed at http://www.ucc.sk.ca/youth.