At the Ministerial Conference on the Humanitarian Dimension of Ukraine's Peace Formula in Montreal, a special discussion took place featuring Ukrainian tennis star and Olympic bronze medalist Elina Svitolina.
As an ambassador for President Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, Svitolina spoke on the critical role of strategic communication in maintaining global focus on child rights violations, particularly Russia's forced deportation of Ukrainian children. The conversation was moderated by Jacqueline O’Neill, Canada’s first Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security.
Svitolina opened with a personal account of the Kherson orphanage, where 40 children were forcibly taken to Crimea during the occupation. She underscored the urgency of holding perpetrators accountable and reuniting these children with their homeland.
Reflecting on her interactions with children who have been successfully returned to Ukraine, Svitolina shared, “Their resilience is inspiring. Each one of them has endured unimaginable hardship on their journey home, yet they continue to fight to rebuild their lives.”
The discussion also highlighted the significant impact social media can have in supporting initiatives like Bring Kids Back UA. Svitolina emphasized the need for public engagement: “The least we can do is remember these children and share their stories across our platforms. These atrocities should never be forgotten or accepted as normal. But you can do more. You can pressure Russia by using every possible means to truly aid in bringing these children back. This is your responsibility,” she urged attendees at the conference.