As part of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula, Ukrainian tennis player, Olympic bronze medalist, and ambassador for President Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, Elina Svitolina, participated in an open discussion. The conversation was moderated by Canada’s first Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security, Jacqueline O’Neill.
The main topic was strategic approaches to maintaining international focus on child rights violations, in particular Russia's war crimes of forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children.
In her opening remarks, Elina Svitolina spoke about the Kherson orphanage from which 40 children were forcibly taken to Crimea during the occupation. The Bring Kids Back UA ambassador emphasized the need to bring the perpetrators to justice and return these children home.
Elina Svitolina also spoke about meeting children who had been successfully returned to Ukraine.
“Their resilience is inspiring. Each of them has endured unimaginable hardships before returning to Ukraine, yet they continue to fight to rebuild their lives,” she said.
The discussion also highlighted the role of social media in supporting initiatives like Bring Kids Back UA.
“The least we can do is remember these children and share their stories with our followers, listeners, viewers, and supporters. Crimes like these should not be forgotten or normalized. But you can do more. You can pressure Russia by finding and using every possible lever to truly help bring these children home. This is your direct responsibility,” Elina Svitolina concluded, addressing the conference participants.
