Sustainable development of the Chornobyl-affected areas is impossible without the change of their perception. The best way to change the stigma of Chornobyl is to invite people to see it!

Today 10 students-volunteers from the University of Oxford and from the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla academy” who have took the challenge and spent four weeks working on specific developmental projects in Ukraine in line with the UNDP targets have shared their experience with Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecka, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine. These 10 students are participants of the Oxford Volunteers for Chornobyl Scheme that was initiated by the UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP), Oxford University Ukrainian Society and the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (NaUKMA) in 2007.

The goal of the programme is to provide knowledge resources and strengthen the developmental process in the Chornobyl-affected area through international cooperation, as well as to increase awareness of and share knowledge about the consequences of the Chornobyl accident and the developmental approach for overcoming them through the involvement of students from the University of Oxford (UK) and the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (Ukraine).

“What we have seen is very different from what we expected to see. We thought that people at the area would be depressed and the territory as a whole would be depopulated. But actually there were families with 10, 14 and even 15 kids! The nature is very beautiful and I think there is much prospective for economic and social development! Nevertheless there is a clear need for trainings, exchange visits and support from other organisations to the area.” – told Nina Raasakka, Oxford student from Finland. “Chornobyl is a part of Ukrainian history and often when I travel abroad the first question that I am asked is about Chornobyl: how affected we are, whether there are many mutants born and whether it is safe to travel to Ukraine? It was interesting for me to apply my knowledge on biodiversity and environment to help developing of green tourism at the affected area. I must confess that it was not only my partner from Oxford University who have changed the image of Chornobyl by I personally as well!” – said Inna Datsiuk, student of Kyiv-Mohyla academy.

Students have come from different coutries: Canada, Finland, France, Russia, South Africa & Ukraine and from different fields of study: economics, environmental sciences, political sciences, nuclear physics etc. According to students interest Oxford students were linked with Ukrainian students in a team of two people with the particular task that they had to research:

-          prospective for the development of green tourism in the Polissia area;

-          developing of cooperation between Youth Centres;

-          state of Public Health Education at the Chonrobyl-Affected area;

-          the role of institutions in regional development;

-          international support for Chornobyl-affected areas.

Working in teams of local and international student made the communication with local communities and usage of international experience much easier. To conduct the research volunteers were working with UNDP experts, local authorities, national experts, local businesses, community organizations and in particular with Youth Centres,  etc. For example, students have marked the EcoTrail in Rokytne rayon at GoogleEarth (with GPS). The EcoTrail has 7 points showing an old oak planted in 1513, rare species that can be viewed, beautiful spring etc. They have also conducted a survey on healthy life style and the perception of Chornobyl among young generation and many other.

In order to introduce volunteers to the Chornobyl issues by UNDP and NaUKMA experts organised 3 days seminar on the history of the Chornobyl accident, UNDP approach to recovery of the affected areas, also about Ukraine, its administrative setup,  and even on possible intercultural conflicts.

“We as an international organisation understand the importance of involvement of young generation in the developmental work. And we are always happy to share our knowledge to those students in Ukraine and abroad who want to apply it in practice. Direct communication between people is what change stereotypes and ruin barriers even such a big barrier that divide affected areas from normality.” – told Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecka, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine.

During the programme volunteers stayed at the territories that are safe for living but are recognised as Chornobyl-affected: the fourth (zone of intensified radiation control), third (zone of voluntary resettlement) zones of radioactive contamination; as well as territories where resettled people from the first zone (exclusion zone) live. Volunteers have also visited (one-day trip) the Chornobyl exclusion zone and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Station.

All travel costs as well as living expenses were covered by volunteers themselves.

For further information please contact Dzvinka Kachur, UNDP/CRDP: Tel: /044/ 253 07 08; 253 50 68; 253 51 77

Fax: /044/ 253 76 63; e-mail: dzvinka.kachur@undp.org.ua

Additional information:

The Oxford Volunteers for Chornobyl Scheme was initiated in 2007 by the UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP), Oxford University Ukrainian Society and the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (NaUKMA). The initiative has been supported by UN Volunteers and British Council in Ukraine. During 2007-2009 25 students had a chance to receive deep knowledge about UNDP approach to mitigate consequences of Chornobyl accident through participation in the programme. 22 settlements have been supported by volunteers through different activities.