Diasporic Mobilisation and Repositioning: The Ukrainian World Congress’ Responses to Critical Junctures and Events

This paper explores the evolving engagements with the homeland by the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), the leading organisation representing the Ukrainian global diaspora. Using Maria Koinova’s concepts of critical event and critical juncture, the study examines the UWC’s modes and types of involvement with Ukraine and its repositioning, identifying 4 distinct periods before and during the ongoing war with Russia. The paper also investigates the UWC’s persistent campaign for the recognition of multiple citizenship. To this end, it draws on a qualitative content analysis and link analysis of Congress’ official website and public Facebook page. This exploration from a top-down perspective demonstrates the repositioning of the UWC alongside the changing prevalence of symbolic, political, organisational and procedural types of involvement. The findings reveal that, despite the Russian existential threat to its homeland, the UWC has not resorted to radical or ‘transgressive’ rhetoric and actions.