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(KYIV, Ukraine) On April 24-25, 2006 the Children of Chornobyl Relief & Development Fund, in coalition with the First Lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Yushchenko and her Foundation Ukraine 3000 will be hosting an international symposium at the National Philharmonia in Kyiv to develop a new vision for mobilizing Ukraine’s intellectual and technical resources to strengthen Ukraine’s health care infrastructure, its energy supply and to improve humanitarian responses to environmental disasters around the world.  Entitled “Rebirth, Renewal and Human Development”, this conference will review some of the dramatic strides and lessons learned in the wake of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster twenty years ago. 

 

Chornobyl served as an important catalyst for democratic change and environmental safety programs.  It mobilized unprecedented partnerships between Western and East European institutions in the quest to save children’s lives and to improve public health.  Chornobyl also stimulated new efforts to increase energy independence and to develop environmentally sound, renewable energy sources.

 

The April 25^th conference will feature presentations and keynote addresses from government officials, the First Ladies of several nations, scientific and medical experts, humanitarian organizations and community leaders who have played an important role in responding to environmental disasters around the world.

 

As a prelude to the conference, the National Opera Theater in Kyiv will host a commemorative concert on Monday, April 24^th, featuring international recording artists and Ukrainian musical virtuosi.  Conference attendees are urged to arrive several days prior to the conference so they can experience the full splendor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Easter on April 23d and many liturgical services throughout Holy Week.

 

In addition to the Children of Chornobyl Relief & Development Fund and Ukraine 3000, our conference committee also includes UNESCO, the medical research foundation “Physicians of Chornobyl”, Ukraine’s largest women’s organization “Zhinocha Hromada” and the children’s advocacy group “Friends of Children” (Pryateli Ditej). 

 

In preparation for the conference, CCRDF and our partners will be publishing new studies and fact sheets on Chornobyl’s aftermath.

 

Corporate sponsors and private donors interested in supporting the conference are urged to contact our office in Kyiv by calling (044) 494-1535 or contacting us by e-mail at info-ua@childrenofchornobyl.org.  You may also contact Ms. Tanya Trishchuk at (044) 270-7240 at the international marketing firm PBN that is coordinating local preparations for the conference.  You may also contact our US office at (973) 376-5140.

 

For further updates on this conference and gala concert, continue to visit this web site in the weeks to come.

 

(Kyiv, Ukraine)  The Government of Ukraine, together with the International Atomic Energy Agency will be holding a conference entitled “Twenty Years after Chornobyl: A Vision for the Future” on April 24-25 at the Ukrainian Home Exhibit Hall.  The Humanitarian Symposium co-hosted by First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko, her Foundation Ukraine 3000 and CCRDF will be an autonomous part of this official government conference, allowing for the presentation of alternative perspectives.

 

(Washington, DC)  The Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars  (WDC) will be hosting a conference marking the 20^th Anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster on Wednesday, April 26^th featuring internationally renowned speakers such as

Dr. David Marples, author Irene Zabytko and journalist Mary Mycio, Murray Feshbach, the President of the Center for Ecological Study and Education Dr. Alla Yaroshinskaya, CCRDF Board Member - Leonard Mazur.  For more information on the conference program, please contact Ms. Laryssa Harmatiy.

 

(Washington, DC)  The Congressional Ukraine Caucus under the leadership of Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur will be hosting a series of public hearings and commemorations of the Chornobyl 20^th Anniversary beginning in April 2006.  For more information, please contact staffer Andrey Kravchenko at (202) 225-4146 or by fax: (202) 225-7711, or e-mail at: andre.kravchenko@mail.house.gov 

 

(Chicago, IL)  The Ukrainian-American community of Greater Chicago will be holding a commemorative forum on the Chornobyl 20^th Anniversary on Sunday, April 30, 2006.