College of Law to Welcome Ukrainian Delegation

College of Law to Welcome Ukrainian Delegation

The University of Toledo will welcome a six-person delegation from Ukraine on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in support of a prestigious professional exchange program administered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership.

Toledo Helps Ukraine (THU), a nonprofit headed by College of Law alumna Alona Matchenko, received a federal grant from the legislative branch agency to participate in this year's Open World Program. The Open World Program aims to strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and emerging global leaders by promoting best practices in accountable governance, economic development and civil society while also offering U.S. community leaders the opportunity to serve as citizen diplomats.

The College of Law is supporting the nonprofit with its local programming, including by hosting the local delegation for professional development co-facilitated by UToledo's Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership.

The Institute is an independent center that serves the campus and community as a space for diverse voices to discuss and debate key questions about society, history and politics.

The on-campus programming will continue a 10-day itinerary for the delegates, who are scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 16. After they meet with lawmakers and their staff and share challenges and leadership practices, they and their colleagues will travel to host communities across the U.S. to engage with professional counterparts, participate in workshops and build long-term partnerships.

The community is invited to meet the local delegation during three public events in Toledo:

• A sunset cruise aboard the Glass City Pearl, which docks in downtown Toledo's Promenade Park, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. Tickets are $75 and must be purchased in advance.
• A free panel discussion from 8 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Glass City Enrichment Center, Rolling Mills Room, at 815 Front St., Toledo.
• A gala from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Glass City Pavilion in Glass City Metropark. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased by Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The Open World Program has brought nearly 32,000 current and future leaders to all 50 states since its establishment in 1999. Nearly 40% of delegates are under the age of 30, and more than half serve as federal, regional or local government officials.

"THU is proud to deliver a mission that is both deeply humanitarian and unmistakably civic," said Matchenko, president of Toledo Helps Ukraine. "This program allows Northwest Ohio to be seen nationally for what it does best - providing outstanding hospitality, strong opportunities for trade and investment, civic leadership and community engagement - and to let that impact echo as far as Ukraine. I am proud of what this region offers and of the people who make it exceptional."

Matchenko co-founded Toledo Helps Ukraine as a student in the College of Law. She graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2023.