On August 22, 2026, on the eve of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s renewed independence, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division hosted “Ukraine and the World: Global Insights Forum” at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village.
The daylong international forum brought together distinguished diplomats, policymakers, scholars, journalists, security experts, and community leaders to examine some of today’s most urgent global challenges through the experience of Ukraine and its continuing struggle for freedom and democracy.
Discussions addressed global security and peace through strength, disinformation and hybrid warfare, the environmental consequences of war, technology and innovation, justice and accountability for war crimes, and the importance of international cooperation and grassroots advocacy.
Among the participants were former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, former U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger and Peter Roskam, Ukrainian and American diplomats, policy experts, journalists, humanitarian leaders, and advocates. Their perspectives underscored that the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders and have profound implications for international security, democratic values, human rights, and the future of the rules-based world order.
More than a conference, the Global Insights Forum created an important space for dialogue, education, and partnership. As Ukraine marked 35 years of renewed independence, the gathering reaffirmed a powerful message: Ukraine’s fight for freedom is inseparable from the broader global defense of democracy, justice, and human dignity.