Queen Silvia has been in New York this week with the World Childhood Foundation, and on Thursday, she received praise from Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska for her inspiring work.
First Lady Zelenska posted on her social media accounts about her meeting with Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine during the UN General Assembly.
She wrote: “It was a pleasure to meet Her Majesty Queen Sylvia and Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine at the grounds of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to thank them for everything they are doing for Ukraine.”
First Lady Zelenska added that Queen Silvia has been supporting the children of Ukraine since the Russian invasion began four years ago. The World Childhood Foundation, she wrote, “participates in the implementation of alternative forms of care for those who have lost their families [and] provides financial support for mental wellness of Ukrainian children.”
Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine held a meeting with First Lady Zelenska on Wednesday in New York, hearing more about how the country is working to support children’s rights as it rebuilds.
The Ukrainian First Lady also announced that the fourth Summit of the First Ladies and Gentlemen—a collective of the world’s first ladies and gentlemen—have focused their efforts this year on programming similar to the World Childhood Foundation’s, and lauded Queen Silvia as a trailblazer in the field.
She wrote: “The result of the fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen was the announcement of a joint declaration, aimed at uniting efforts to protect children. The document developed on its basis of Ukraine, our delegation is now presenting to the UN, so that it becomes an effective tool for all who want to actively protect children. As the Queen of Sweden does it, for example.”
For her part, Queen Silvia said in an interview with SVT that “Olena Zelenska gives hope to Ukraine.”
Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine arrived in New York on Wednesday for meetings with the World Childhood Foundation. On Wednesday evening, they attended a dinner for the Foundation’s 25th anniversary, where Queen Silvia gave a speech.
She said: “Our work is far from over. We cannot stop until every child is safe.
“As we celebrate 25 years of progress this year, we renew our commitment to this fight. With courage and determination, we will continue driving change. Together, we will ensure that every child can grow up in a world free from child sexual abuse and exploitation.”
On Thursday, Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine attended meetings with the Foundation’s USA branch. On Friday, they will attend a board meeting.
Princess Madeleine worked for the USA branch specifically in the early 2010s and throughout her time living in the United States before returning to Sweden over the summer.