Green Cross Ukraine implemented the following activities under International Social and Medical Care Program for the first half of 2011:
January
Development and preparation of the agenda with GCU activities for the first half of 2011. Conduction of business trips to the regions.
February
Organization of visits for journalists and photographers to prepare reports on the 25-th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. Visit of two journalists from 6 to 12 February, 2011. There was visit to Slavutych, Chernobyl NPP and the town of Pripyat, visit to Zhytomyr region for meetings with affected people and resettled families who live in the contaminated territories, as well as attending Zhytomyr Regional Children’s Hospital to learn more about the activities carried out by GCU under international SOCMED program.
Issue of Parostok, ecological magazine “ (1,500 exemplars)
March
Organization of the visit of Maria Vitagliano, Director of International Social and Medical Care Program in March (from 14 to 21 March, 2011). The working visit was held with the participation of a journalist and photographer of the magazine "Schweizer Familie” (Gulia Pompeo and Fabian Biasio). Visit was organized in Slavutych, meeting with families, beneficiaries of Mother and Child club, a visit to an orphanage, a trip to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the town of Pripyat, visit to Zhytomyr region, in the contaminated territories for meetings with affected people and resettled families, review and acquaintance with GCU projects and activities of GCU mobile medical team. Also in Zhytomyr region with the participation of Maria Vitagliano and the family of Valentina Grinik who live in the contaminated areas (Zhytomyr region, Ovruch borough, Ignatpol village) a film was made by Mario Nottaris from TV Chanel SF Einstein. Then, it was organized a visit to Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Pripyat for Mr. Mario Nottaris (March 22, 2011).
Involvement in the research and investigation conducted by the School of Medicine of University of Southern California and Ukrainian Psychiatric Association, with the assistance, support and monitoring of Green Cross Switzerland. GCU was involved in organizing of focus groups (from 18 to 25 March, 2011). The organization of the visit and meeting of Sonny S. Patel, MPH, Research Associate, Department of Preventive Medicine of the University of Southern California. Signing contracts on cooperation with the Kiev International Institute of Sociology and Ukrainian Psychiatric Association.
Preparation for meetings and visits, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.
April
Organization of the visit of group from Switzerland to Ukraine: representatives Green Cross Switzerland and SOCMED program, members of the Swiss Parliament, representatives from the sector of science and medicine.
Press conference and meetings with new partners, prospective sponsors and donors for the development of GCU projects under SOCMED program.
Organization of 6th International Youth Environmental Forum for students from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus in association with Slavutych City Administration. Meetings with liquidators.
May
Preparatory work for the environmental, recreational and educational camps for children affected by the Chernobyl accident, children from poor families, children from GCU Mother and Child Clubs (5 regions).
Organization with GCU partners from Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky of the charity event "Viennese Ball" (May 15, 2011).
Participation of volunteers in collective trips and forums to exchange experiences and practical knowledge, as well as to prepare for work in Eco Summer Therapy Camp GCU project. The main topics of these activities - learning communication, healthy lifestyles, environmental protection, training and playing social and environmental areas. The main tasks were to conduct interactive programs for volunteer groups with the idea of volunteerism and youth movement.
Seminars and trainings were conducted for supervisors and group leaders; necessary background materials and documentation were provided. Also during the events the name of the international session of the camp was coined “With nature in one’s heart".
Issue of Parostok, ecological magazine “ (1,500 exemplars).
June
Organization of the visit to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant for two representatives-photographers from Green Cross Belorussia (from June 7 to June 9, 2011).
Preparation of materials for further participation in the XVI International Conference for Education for Sustainable Development , Moscow, June 2011
Opening of one new social cooperative in the Zhytomyr region in the family of Lyudmila Demchuk, a single mother who raises five young children.
Work on the GCU office opening in Cherkassy region
Two trainings were held for leaders, volunteers and some participants of the camp "International Youth Eco Camp" on the base of National Ecological and Naturalistic Center (NENC). Subject of training was "Environmental education is an important component of sustainable development in Ukraine at present stage". Total number of participants - 34 people.
Launch of "International Youth Eco-Camp" in conjunction with a partner National Ecological and Naturalistic Center for pupils and students under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports for children from different countries - Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Moldova.
Preparation and submission of the half-year report on GCU activities to the Green Cross Switzerland
Preparation for participation in the Youth Camp in Switzerland.
