As quarantine restrictions are gradually lifted, the summer season begins, and we return outdoors to bask in the sun with friends, we are once again reminded of the beauty of our environment. This week, June 5 marks the United Nations’ World Environment Day. Established in 1972, the holiday is perhaps more timely than ever, given the cause and spread of the pandemic and the linkages between ecology and public health. Both health and environment are fragile public interests and throughout Ukraine, CSOs are working towards these interconnected themes. Flash mobs are raising environmental awareness among the public at the regional level and an online conference addresses eco-changes. At the policy level, civic activists have successfully pushed for the independence of a key environmental ministry. Experts map out the status of healthcare reforms across the country. And concerts continue to unite citizens to support healthcare heroes.
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Our News
#BraveHeart TV Concerts Gather 1.5 Million Ukrainians To Support Doctors Fighting COVID-19
On May 23 and May 30, with the support of the USAID/ENGAGE activity partner the CSO Association of Music Events, Atlas Weekend Festival and the M1 TV Channel held 2 charity music marathons titled “Brave Heart,” with the participation of top performers – Alina Pash, Boombox, Druha Rika, Nikita Lomakin, Alekseev, Alyona Alyona and Maks Barskykh. During the music marathons, listeners were encouraged to donate funds via SMS to purchase protective equipment and equipment for doctors fighting COVID-19 with help of the CSO Patients of Ukraine. The event was organized with the aim to express gratitude to Ukrainian doctors and encourage viewers to behave responsibly during quarantine. Almost 1.5 million Ukrainians joined the initiative. Follow the link to engage and support those who save lives by June 15th. Find more.
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Weekly Chart
Does caring for nature depend on the season? According to data from our Civic Engagement Poll—yes! Ukrainians are more concerned about environmental issues in the summer and consider environment a personal problem. For example, last summer, almost 16% of respondents said that environment is a national issue for Ukraine, while 53.8% considered it a local problem. More than 80% are concerned about water and air pollution, 36.5% are seriously worried about global warming and climate change, and only 3.2% believe that they can improve air quality in their cities. Learn more details in our weekly chart.
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Partner News
New Europe Center Presents its “The European Map of Health. Ukraine” Analytical Paper
Which Ukrainian oblast is the leader in the implementation healthcare reform? Where in Ukraine are people most afraid of vaccinations? And how often do Ukrainians smoke and participate in sports compared to Europeans? Look for answers to these and other questions in the analytical paper “The European Map of Health. Ukraine” from the New Europe Center. Read more
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Fakes and Facts about the Healthcare: Stay Informed with VoxUkraine
The risk of an “instant second wave” resulting from quarantine mitigation, why the “Swedish model” of acquiring group immunity does not work, the process of developing a vaccine against coronavirus, and a selection of fresh infographics—find verified information on these issues in VoxUkraine’s new issue of its “coronavirus” digest. Read more.
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Global Office Conducts Five Day Quarantine Challenge
Online schooling during quarantine can be fun and rewarding! The Global Office team prepared a quarantine challenge for children, teachers and parents to learn something new and have fun while staying at home! With the help of messengers, schoolchildren will be able to test themselves in mathematics, chemistry, drawing and creativity. Stay at home, download the guide and have fun! Read more.
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Regional News
Eco FlashMob and Vlog by CSO “Astra” in Nova Kahovka
Last week our regional partner CSO “Center for Modern Development Astra” released a video about an illegal construction in a local park. They also launched a flash mob for residents of Nova Kakhovka. Due to this flash mob, which will be conducted on Facebook, citizens will have the opportunity to join the campaign against this illegal construction in green areas. Find more.
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In Zaporizhzhia Activists Develop Recommendations for Environmental Impact Assessment Project
On June 6, the CSO “Mediavision,” our regional partner from Zaporizhzhia, will hold a meeting with an initiative group. The prior was established under one of the public discussions on environmental impact assessment regarding the construction of the recreation area “Velykiy Lug.” During the meeting activists plan to develop recommendations for the environmental impact assessment project and submit it to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
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Civil Society News
Join the “Ukraine. Eco Changes” Online Conference
On June 5, on World Environment Day, you can join an online conference titled “Ukraine. Eco Changes,”.conducted by EcoLine. You’ll have a chance to talk about Ukrainian activism in an eco-online transition, learn about citizens campaigns and activists’ tools for clean air in the Czech Republic, and discuss the future challenges. Don’t waste another minute, register now! Read more.
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Environmental Activists Advocated Separation of the Ministry of Ecology from the Ministry of Energy
Last week the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution on optimizing the system of central executive bodies. As a result, the government separated the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection into two independent governmental institutions. Environmental activists welcome the government’s decision. In April they released a joint statement to the government, parliament and President calling for such separation. They stated that environmental protection should be effectively implemented by its own “defender and ambassador.” In addition, such separation eliminates the direct conflict of interests since the domestic energy sector is currently one of the main polluters of the environment. Read more.
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What Are We Reading?
What Are We Reading?
Out of sixteen pressing issues, Ukrainians consider the environment to be the eighth most important issue for them and their families according to the results of the USAID/ENGAGE Civic Engagement Poll. But how does concern for the environment transform into a cleaner environment? Is it enough to simply add more regulations and strongly enforce the law? Of course, we can all play a role in improving our environment at local and even national levels. New research in a piece titled, “Education for Environmental Citizenship and Education for Sustainability” makes a compelling case for the role that civic education plays in developing new generations of eco-minded citizens. Understanding the importance of the environment for our everyday life is key.
Check out analytical brief about environment and engaged citizenship on our website. Read more.
