EDMONTON - Ukraine has come a long way from the war and famine so familiar in the 20th century, but the country still needs help getting on its feet, local community leaders say.

While many in Edmonton's Ukrainian community celebrated the 15th anniversary of their homeland's independence from the Soviet Union on Sunday, Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky pledged $200,000 for a genealogical project to help those looking for family ties.

Earlier this month, President Viktor Yushchenko made a plea for Ukrainians living abroad to return and help rebuild their homeland.

"I think he senses that the Ukrainian nation is much bigger than just the citizens of that country," said Lubomyr Markevych, an Edmontonian who has lived in Ukraine for the past 13 years, working with a United Nations Development Program.

"I think Ukraine has every chance to become a part of the European Union, but that's still a decade away if not more," said Markevych, who was the keynote speaker at Sunday's celebration in the city's north end.

Markevych said the biggest problem holding the country back is a lack of opportunities for people to get jobs and start careers. Non-governmental organizations that help poverty-

stricken Ukrainians rebuild their lives do what they can, he said, but the best way to respond to Yushchenko's request is for individuals to book flights to the eastern-European nation.

"I think the key solution is to make the effort to leave home, to go there and see the people and how they live," he said.

SUPPORT FROM EDMONTON

For many, boarding the next flight to Ukraine isn't an option, so they help in other ways.

"We've been helping out for a long time, we've been sponsoring a child in an orphanage for a year," said Chris Kyrzyk, who was celebrating with his family on Sunday.

Kyrzyk, who keeps up with Ukraine's political news over the Internet, supports the country's economy by buying its products and encouraging others to do the same.

"It's a good start," he said.

ckyle [at] thejournal.canwest.com