On World Refugee Day and ahead of the International Conference on Ukraine's Reconstruction, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Bankov visited the Greek-Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in London.
This was reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.
The guests were greeted by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family.
The U.S. Secretary of State, UK Foreign Secretary, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also visited the Ukrainian Welcome Center, which has been operating at the London Cathedral of the UGCC since the beginning of the full-scale war. There, Ukrainian migrants can receive advice and support necessary for their adaptation to life in the UK.
As known, on June 21-22, the Conference on Ukraine's Reconstruction will take place in London, where over 1,000 foreign officials from more than 60 countries, as well as business leaders and global investors, will discuss ways to assist Ukraine in its reconstruction.
Background Information:
The Ukrainian Welcome Center was established as a partnership initiative between the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in London and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain. The initiative is supported by the UK government ministries and numerous non-governmental, religious, and charitable organizations, companies, and individual sponsors. The center's mission is to provide assistance to Ukrainian citizens in the UK who have been displaced as a result of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine. The center provides essential information regarding arrival, settlement, and long-term stay in the United Kingdom, and also serves as a community hub that helps Ukrainians maintain their connection with their own culture and society.
Hundreds of Ukrainians have already received assistance through regular consultations, and many of them participate in weekly events, including English language courses, art therapy, mothers' groups with children, and more. The center is located within the premises of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in the Mayfair district of London.
The center was officially opened by King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, in November 2022.