Ukraine: The Grassroots Defense of Democracy and Human Rights

As the invasion of Ukraine continues, the McCain Institute and the World Central Kitchen are partnering to shed light on the heroic and lifesaving efforts led by grassroots organizations, activists, and ordinary citizens in Ukraine and surrounding countries. We are proud to work in support of these efforts through the McCain Global Leaders program and World Central Kitchen’s on-the-ground partnerships in Ukraine and in Poland to provide meals for displaced Ukrainians.

This event on Capitol Hill highlighted how the global community is supporting these efforts and bring forward voices from the frontlines of the humanitarian and democratic response. This was a high-level panel with representatives from the McCain Institute, World Central Kitchen, and grassroots activists from Ukraine.

Opening Speakers:
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID)
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Senator Todd Young (R-IN)
Ambassador Oksana Markarova (Ukraine)

Panelists: Nate Mook, CEO, World Central Kitchen
Kateryna Smagliy, First Secretary, Embassy of Ukraine
Mariia Levchenko, McCain Global Leader, Ukraine
Kate Serdiuk, World Central Kitchen Operations Lead, Kyiv Ukraine

Moderator: Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute

Closing Speaker: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)