The Role of Religion in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
October 20 at 2:00 PM EDT
Panelists
Stepan Bilynskyy
Stepan Bilynskyy is a dedicated healthcare professional, educator, and theologian with a rich and diverse international background. As a physician-neurologist and medical expert, he is committed to integrating spiritual health, faith, and healthcare leadership. His passion for the medical humanities, history, and fine arts further enriches his professional pursuits.
Born in Kolomyia, Ukraine, Stepan has Eastern European roots and ties to the Junosza coat of arms. He moved to Canada in 1999 and began his academic journey at Ivano-Frankivsk Medical Academy, where he completed his medical studies. Specializing in neurology, he finished his residency at Kherson Regional Hospital and Crimean State Medical University. His theological interests led him to the University of Winnipeg, where he earned a Master of Arts in Spiritual Disciplines and Ministry Practice. He also holds a Master of Arts in Bioethics and Health Policy from Loyola University Chicago. In 2013, Stepan was ordained as a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Thunder Bay.
Currently, Stepan serves as a spiritual health practitioner at Grace Hospital and as a clinical educator at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. His dedication to education and cultural exchange has been recognized multiple times, with his innovative and inspiring teaching approach earning several nominations for the Teaching Award by medical students.
As a Permanent Deacon with the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, Stepan has represented the Catholic Bishops of Manitoba on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Health Association of Manitoba (CHAM). He also co-led the Jewish-Catholic Dialogue group in Manitoba and serves at the Canadian Air Force base. Additionally, Stepan is a spiritual director in private practice. He resides in the picturesque Southdale neighbourhood of Winnipeg with his wife, daughter, and their beloved dog, Milly.
Dmytro Vovk
Dmytro Vovk is a visiting associate professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where he teaches international human rights, law and religion, and the rule of law. He is also an affiliated researcher of the Cardozo Law Institute of Holocaust and Human Rights and the Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law at University of Queensland. Vovk has been a rule of law, constitutional law, and religious freedom expert for several international institutions. In 2019–2025, Vovk was a member of the OSCE/ODIHR Expert Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief, where he coordinates the working group on freedom of religion or belief and gender. He also testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and briefed the U.S. State Department.
He has published extensively on religious freedom and church-state relations in post-Soviet countries and beyond. Among his recent publications are the volume Human Dignity, Judicial Reasoning and the Law (Routledge 2024); the volume “Freedom of religion and gender equality across the OSCE region” for the Review of Faith and International Affairs (2022); and the volume Religion During the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict (Routledge 2019). Vovk edits the BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies blog “Talk About: Law and Religion blog.”
Moderator
Rev. Dr. James Christie
Dr. James Christie is currently the only Ambassador-at-large for the Canadian Multifaith Federation.
During his time with the Global College of The University of Winnipeg, he was Professor of Whole World Ecumenism and Dialogue Theology, former Dean of the Faculty of Theology, and Director of The Ridd Institute for Religion and Global Policy.. He has practiced congregational ministry in Montreal, New York State, Toronto, and Ottawa. He served on the Emmanuel College Council in Toronto; developed and taught short courses for Queen’s Theological College and the United Church of Canada in Faith, Culture and Politics. He was Theologian to the Justice Department of Canada Forum on Genetic Futures, and participated in the first Canadian Church Leaders’ Study Mission on HIV/AIDS to East Africa. He was a long-time director of both the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto and the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of the National Capital Region, and represented the Protestant world at the 49th World Eucharistic Congress of the Roman Catholic Church.
He is Past President of the Canadian Council of Churches, and served as Secretary General of the 2010 Religious Leaders’ Summit, coinciding with the G8 political leaders’ summits. He was a member of the steering committee of the Interreligious Roundtable of Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation. A leader in the NGO movement for global democracy, UN reform and human rights, he chaired the Council of the World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy (a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize nominee for leadership in the International Criminal Court Treaty).
Part 1: Ukraine and Russia:
The Causes of the Conflict, Diplomacy, and Possibilities for Peace
The October 24, 2024 webinar, “Ukraine and Russia: The Causes of the Conflict, Diplomacy, and Possibilities for Peace” explored the historical and more recent causes of the conflict to identify critical junctures where peace was not chosen, and consider ways forward toward peace. The event was co-sponsored by the Group of 78, the G20 Interfaith Forum, and the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation.
Panelists
Professor John Packer
Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa; Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
Jonathan Granoff, J.D.
President, Global Security Institute; Senior Advisor and Representative to the UN of the World Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates
Moderator
Audrey E. Kitagawa, J.D.
Founder/President, International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation; President, Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family; Chair, G20 Interfaith Forum Anti-Racism Initiative and Gender Equality Working Group
SPONSORS:
G20 Interfaith Forum | Group of 78 | International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation
Part 2: Ukraine and Russia:
The Increased Nuclear Threat in These Uncertain Times
The February 13, 2025 webinar, “Ukraine and Russia: The Increased Nuclear Threat in These Uncertain Times” will be a part 2 of the Ukraine and Russia webinar series discussing recent causes of the conflict to identify critical junctures where peace was not chosen, and consider ways forward toward peace.
Panelists
Walter Dorn
Professor, Defence Studies, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) and Canadian Forces College (CFC);
Director, Canadian Pugwash Group
Paul Meyer
Fellow, International Security and Adjunct Professor, International Studies, Simon Fraser University;
Founding Fellow, Outer Space Institute;
Senior Advisor, ICT4Peace;
Director, Canadian Pugwash Group
Moderator
Peggy Mason
President, Rideau Institute on International Affairs;
Board Member, Group of 78;
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pugwash Group;
Advisory Board Member, Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
SPONSORS:
G20 Interfaith Forum | Group of 78 | International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation
