United Nations and Stella Zakharova promote better opportunities for youth in Chornobyl affected areas

KYIV, UKRAINE - On March 20, 2006, in Kyiv, there was held a press conference devoted to the upcoming Stella Zakharova Cup. This sport event will take place on March 25-26, 2006 at the Palace of Sport in Kyiv. The international gymnastics championship will be held under the auspices of the United Nations Office in Ukraine and will be devoted to the 20th Commemoration Anniversary of Chornobyl catastrophe.

The participants at the press conference included Mr. Francis M. O’Donnell, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Ukraine and UNDP Resident Representative; Ms. Stella Zakharova Olympic games champion in rhythmic gymnastics; Mr. Volodymyr Gryshko, Counselor to President of Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Main Service for Humanitarian Policy of the Secretariat of the President of Ukraine; Mr. Jei Chan Yon, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Ukraine, LLC; Mr. Mykola Movchan, Knowledge Management Specialist, UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP).

At the press conference Mr. O’Donnell especially stressed that the Organization of the United Nations continuously advocates recovery and development of the Chornobyl affected areas and promote healthy life style among the Chornobyl affected population. Mr. O’Donnell accentuated that sport will give to the young people, living in affected territories, new opportunities to improve their lives and to open better opportunities for their future.

In the context of upcoming events, devoted to the 20th Commemoration Anniversary of the Chornobyl Catastrophe, Mr. O’Donnell emphasized the significance of the international conference “Twenty Years after Chornobyl Catastrophe: Future Outlook” that will take place on April 24-26, 2006 in Kyiv. The conference is an important international event which is planned to be attended by the high-rank UN officials – Mr. Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator and Mr. Koїchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO.

Answering the questions at the press-conference, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Ukraine and UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Francis M. O’Donnell shared with the representatives of mass media the information about the United Nations system and UN Agencies in Ukraine, their structure and goals.

Replying the question about the UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme, Mr. Movchan informed the journalists about the goals, tasks and operating areas of the UNDP / CRDP.

The press conference was largely covered by mass media, including major TV channels and newspapers.

For detailed information about the United Nations and UNDP / CRDP, please, contact:
Mykola Movchan, UNDP/CRDP Knowledge Management Specialist
Tel: /044/ 253 07 08; 253 50 68; 253 51 77
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