IOI | World Board attends Reception and Charity Event at Ukrainian Embassy

Prior to the commencement of the World Board meeting in Austria, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria, Dr Vasyl Khymynets, and Voices of Children co-hosted a reception and charity event at the Ukrainian Embassy. The President was honoured to speak at this event alongside Ambassador Khymynets and Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets. The event was also attended by His Excellency Michael Carpenter, US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, His Excellency Bruce Edwards, Australian Ambassador to Ukraine and IOI World Board members. The IOI condemns the use of unlawful relocation, transfer and deportation programs of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation and the trauma this war creates for children.

The following evening, Australian Chargé d’Affaires to Austria, Mr Emil Stojanovski, held a formal Welcome Ceremony at the Australian Embassy for the World Board of the IOI on the occasion of President Field’s visit to Austria. It was particularly pleasing that the Australian Ambassador to Ukraine, Mr Bruce Edwards, was able to attend with two special guests, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Dmytro Lubinets, and former IOI Regional President Europe and Catalan Ombudsman, Mr Rafael Ribó, recipient earlier that day of the Golden Order of Merit for his exceptional service to the IOI.

Source: The Office of the IOI President and Western Australian Ombudsman