Eco-Ethics International Union: Letters

Our eco-scouts continue to clean springs. On September 17, we cleaned up the Maksimova Dacha district of the city. We collected and removed over 1000 sacks of garbage. We organised a competition about eco-ethics for tourists.

On October 8, the Eco-ethics Congress took place at School No.3; it was attended by the EEIU Vice-President Academician Polikarpov.

I presented a report on eco-ethics at a conference organised by the Ukrainian Acadamy of Pedagogical Sciences in Kiev from October 13 to14. I moved away from the usual anthropocentrism approach of pedagogy. I believe that we have to change our focus in teaching from anthropocentrism to eco-ethics. I gave examples of how this change is taking place in our organisation's activities. My report prompted many questions from the scientists present at the session. We decided to organise an experimental training program in our schools for children in the 1st to 11th grades. I consider this as a great achievement. We are now busy preparing for the January conference; we expect delegates from 25 regions of the Ukraine, who are interested in initiating eco-ethics in their regions.

With best wishes,

Ludmilla Marchukova

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03.11.99 Reply

From: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany
To: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine

Dear Ludmilla Marchukova,

Thank you for your interesting and important report.

Warm regards,

Otto Kinne

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30.09.99

From: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Dear Professor Kinne,

Greetings from Sevastopol.

Thank you very much for your book 'Suchen im Park'; we will use it in our work.

Our organization (the Sevastopol EEIU Chapter) did a lot of of work this summer. I spent the entire summer working on an ecological camp in Balaklava (near Sevastopol). Children from many regions of the Ukrain took part. I taught on the theme principles and ideas of eco-ethics. Both the chilldren and the adults left the camp, planning to implement the principles and ideas into their lives.

Eco-scouts cleaned up and took care of an area surrounding a spring in the City centre. We also made a four-day expedition to the Cape Aya area, where the Eco-scouts studied the Stankevich pine, a species endemic to Crimea. The results of the study were compared to those of the previous year.

At the teachers' conference on August 28, 1999, I spoke on eco-ethical principles and ideas, and I hope to introduce eco-ethics as part of the the training program of School No. 8.

On September 13, eco-scouts, EEYAG members and I spoke on Sevastopol television; the next day the program was repeated: it was a success. We had many responses and offers of cooperation, even Kindergarten teachers wanted to be involved. We have already arranged some meetings with school teachers and students, and we plan to start working with kindergarten teachers soon.

We have received a letter from some supporters in Finland, who had read our Internet page. We are getting ready to send a letter to them.

Respectfully yours,

Ludmilla Marchukova

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Reply 30.09.99

From: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany
To: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine

Dear Ludmilla Marchukova,

Thank you for your message. Again, I am very pleased with your efforts.

Otto Kinne

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10.06.99

From: Prof. Rene Kirchmann, EEIU Fellow, Oupeye, Belgium
To: Prof. Gennady Polikarpov, EEIU Vice President, General Office, Ukraine

Science academies must take on ethics role

[LONDON] Every academy of science throughout the world should set up a mechanism for studying and monitoring the ethical problems arising from modern science, according to medical physicist Sir Joseph Rotblat, the Nobel peace prizewinner in 1995.

Rotblat, one of the founders and for many years president of the Pugwash conferences on science and world affairs, an organization of researchers dedicated to the cause of peace, also suggests that all scientists should be encouraged to sign an oath on graduation pledging to work for the good of humanity.

"Ethical problems should become part and parcel of the terms of reference of all academies of science," Rotblat told a meeting in London last week at which he outlined some of the ideas and recommendations that he intends to present during a keynote speech on the first day of the World Conference on Science in Budapest.

Acknowledging that many academies are already engaged in such debates, Rotblat suggested that this role "should become normative" rather than optional. The job of scientists nominated to sit on such ethical committees "will be to try to work out the possible outcomes of scientific projects from the point of view of their potential impact on society."

The physicist pointed out that in medicine, all projects involving the use of humans have to be vetted by ethical committees. "Something similar should be carried out for other scientific projects, for example in the fields of molecular biology and genetic engineering".

The code of conduct which Rotblat suggests should be taken by scientists would be similar to the Hippocratic oath taken by doctors. "This makes them aware that their prime duty is to the patient," he said. "Now that science can affect the fate of so many humans, it is important for scientists to be aware of the situation."

In his Budapest talk, 'Science and Human Values', Rotblat will address "the education of scientists as conscientious and responsible citizens and contributors to the culture of peace."

Full text of Rotblat's London address: Science and Ethical Behaviour

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15.06.99

From: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Report from the Sevastopol Eco-Ethics delegation on their participation in the All-Ukrainian Ecological Congress "Ecological Watch"

The Founding Congress organized by the children's all-Ukrainian ecological organization "Ecological Watch" took place in Kiev from April 21 to April 23, 1999.

The Sevastopol delegation participated actively in the Congress. The delegation consisted of Makeev I. G., Chairman of the Council of the All-Ukrainian Ecological League; Marchukova L. P., Chair of the EEIU Chapter Sevastopol 1 and coordinator of the children's union "Ecological Watch"; Nikolenko N. V., EEYAG leader of School 19; Nikolenko N. I., the chief specialist of the educational department of Lenin district; and school students of the city: Kuyevda Natalia, a EEYAG member, School-lyceum No. 8; Lysenko Galina, School No. 6; Plinskaya Galina, School No. 53; Ostronosova Yelena, School No. 30; Zakharova Olga, School No. 23 .

Our delegation met with a delegation from a local eco-lyceum from Kiev on April 21. Makchukova L. P. shared ideas about EEYAG and eco-ethical principles as well as about the activities of the Sevastopol Chapter. The report was accepted with great interest. The Sevastopol delegation presented eco-ethic brochures and the EEYAG program to the eco-lyceum administration. The representatives plan to take part in the January conference. Delegation members answered questions asked by people attending the meeting.

On April 21, Ludmilla Marchukova shared ideas about EEYAG and eco-ethical principles as well as about the activities of the Sevastopol Chapter. The report was accepted with great interest. The Sevastopol delegation presented eco-ethic brochures and the EEYAG program to the eco-lyceum administration. The representatives plan to take part in the January conference. Delegation members answered questions asked by people attending the meeting.

On April 22, the Founding Congress was opened in the Ukrainian House. Participants included Mrs. L. N. Kuchma; Dr. V. Y. Shevchuk, the Minister of eco-security; Mr. K. M. Sytnik, the head of the All-Ukrainian Ecological League, a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Academician; Ministry of education representatives; and other honourable guests. Among those who attended the Congress were 400 people from 14 regions of the Ukraine. Reports were delivered by K. M. Sytnik and by representatives from 6 delegations. Natalia Kuyevda, an active EEYAG member, spoke on behalf of the Sevastopol delegation. Her topic was 'The urgency of the ecological situation in Sevastopol'. Her report was listened to with great interest. It was both constructive and thoughtful. The solution is to raise the new generation with eco-ethical world views.

During the break between the sessions L .P. Marchukova had a talk with Mrs. L. N. Kuchma who said that she was most impressed by the report of the Sevastopol delegation. She was given EEIU brochures and EEYAG programs. Natalia Kuyevda was interviewed by reporters from the TV channel UT-1 and from the Ukrainian newspapers 'The Facts' and 'The Kiev News'.

After the sessions, the children's musical group 'Svitanok (Dawn)' gave a concert. Following the sessions, students lead by their Kiev pedagogical fellows went to Krechatik Street and handed out baloons carrying the inscription "Ecological Watch", and distributed leaflets. Then the children went to the Zoo where they enjoyed an ecological game which had been organized for them.

The following organization leaders participated in a press-conference: Dr. V. Y. Shevchuk, Eco-security Minister; N. A. Pastovit, Upringing Issues Institute assistent; V. P .Ilchenko; and K. M. Sytnik, a NAS academician. On the same day, the leaders of the Sevastopol delegation met with the Shevchenko National University Professor Y. A. Kutlakhmendov. He is the Chair of the Kiev EEIU Chapter. Survival chances of Homo sapiens were discussed with him. In the evening there was a farewell bonfire at the children's camp "Sputnik", where the Congress participants had their lodging. We shared our views on eco-ethics with the representatives of other delegations.

We are pleased to report that eco-ethic groups have started work in the Ternopol, Donetsk, Zhitomir and Dnepropetrovsk regions. The Dnepropetrovsk delegation invited us to visit their city and to speak on the local television about eco-ethics.

On the last day of the Congress, our delegation took part in a high-school students' conference, which was located in NAS Botanical Gardens. The students discussed experiences concerning their scientific work. After the conference, we had a tour of the Gardens which impressed us deeply. We wished we had a video-camera. We took a lot of pictures, but it would have been better to video tape our meetings and work.

L.P. Marchukova was elected as the head of "Ecological Watch" in Sevastopol. Natalia Kuyevda was elected for the same position by the children.

All the events listed above make us believe that the activities of our EEIU Sevastopol delegation have been successful.

With best wishes,

Ludmilla Marchukova

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Reply 03.11.99

From: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany
To: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine

Dear Ludmilla Marchukova,

I wish to congratulate you and the members of your Chapter for pioneering effective measures to "spread the word" and to engage school students and children. Your activities set an outstanding example for other EEIU Chapters.

Thank you.

Otto Kinne

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15.04.99

From: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Report about the EEIU Youth Group delegation's stay in Kiev

We are happy to report that the Children's Forum of informal ecological unions in Kiev was very successful. It was held in Kiev from 28 to 30 of March, 1999. Irina Soyuzova, the leader of the Youth Group, spoke on the topic "Eco-Ethics in Action". Her report was listened to with great interest. After she had finished she was asked a number of questions. Which she adequately answered. All the delegations asked for our materials, and we gave them everything that we had brought with us. Irina passed Prof. Otto Kinne's book "Suchen im Park" to the organizer of the Forum - to the Ukrainian Children's Eco-Naturalistic Center. A Poster "Ethics and Eco-Ethics" by a schoolboy Pavel Polikarpov also attacted great attention. Everybody wanted to see our eco-ethics exhibition.

The State Ministries, e.g. Eco-Security, Education and The Institute of Ecology were especially interested in our activities. We also gave them all necessary information. We worked from early morning until late night and had many interesting meetings with representatives of other ecological groups.

Our chidren actively participated in working out such projects as "For fresh air", "Mother-Earth" and "Water". I met with Professor Y.Kutlakhmedov, the Chairman of Kiev EEIU Chapter, and gave EEIU diplomas to winners in his Chapter at Sevastopol in January, 1999. The Sevastopol delegation, which included Soyuzova Irina (Youth Group Leader), Gvozdakova Tania (Youth Group Secretary, school-lyceum N8), Makeyev Dmitry (school N39), planted our gifts - a Crimean pine-tree and a wall-nut tree in Kiev on the territory of the Eco-Naturalistic Center. Our young participants are writing a article to a newspaper about that. Our activities are continuing.

Ludmilla Marchukova

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04.02.99

From: Prof. Tom Berman, EEIU Fellow, Station Zoologique, Laboratoire d'Océanographie, Biologique et Ecologie du Plancton Marin ESA 7076, Italy
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany Dear Otto,

I have been having some thoughts recently about the EcoEthics International Union (EEIU). I am curious to know how this very worthy enterprise of which I was an early and enthusiastic supporter, has been developing. Specifically I am speculating about what the EEIU can actually accomplish in the real world where ecological and ethical issues are continuously being overwhelmed by short-term, shortsighted political and economic pressures. I am concerned that--although the initiative and stated aims of the EEIU are commendable, important and desirable--the Union will have no real impact in influencing national or international policies in its spirit. In other words, I am asking what can the EEIU really do to further the widespread adoption of its philosophical outlook on human affairs and application of these ideas to the governance of society.

It seems to me that there is a plethora of organizations at all levels (international, governmental, non-governmental, scientific and populist) which all endorse at least considerable parts of the fundamental EEIU ideals and aims as stated in the EEIU manifesto. (Many of these have "eco-" or "environmental" as part of their names, but the list also includes many organisations such as professional biological societies which in recent years have become more politically active). There are professional groupings of social scientists, engineers, economists and philosophers that may also have, more or less, a basic orientation towards the ideals of the EEIU.

Perhaps then, at the most practical level, the EEIU could function as a facilitating body that could act to bring together and coordinate the functioning of such groups. The EEIU would seek out the common aims among such organisations and strive to bring them to unified action aimed at specific and defined goals. Most obviously, it would be very desirable that various scientific and professional organisations (again at all levels) would be willing to endorse the overall aims of the EEIU and to collaborate with the EEIU. Of course, the EEIU could also act as a contact to and for these organisations and publicize their activities to EEIU rnembers, Task Forces, Youth Groups and Local Chapters.

I note that the above idea is actually stated as one of the activities of the EEIU Headquarters. As I see it, such activity would require the EEIU to have a professional staff and I understand that this is not intended at present. However, I suggest that this direction holds the most promise for the EEIU to make a practical impact on human affairs. Otherwise I fear that EEIU will become just another worthy, but insignificant group of well-intentioned individuals.

Looking forward to your reaction on this.

With all best wishes, as ever,

Tom Berman

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Reply 05.02.99

From: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany
To: Prof. Tom Berman, EEIU Fellow, Station Zoologique, Laboratoire d'Océanographie, Biologique et Ecologie du Plancton Marin ESA 7076, Italy

Dear Tom,

I fully agree with the points raised in your letter.

The EEIU is still young--only a few months old. In this time span we have enjoyed tremendous support from individuals in many countries and we are witnessing foundations of Local Chapters in different regions of the world.

A very important immediate goal is addressing and winning over the young generation. Examples of recent EEIU activities: Election of EEIU Children Parliaments, student conferences, meetings discussing the EEIU manifesto. School children and students are regularly controlling selected areas and are bringing cases of environmetal degradation and violation to the attention of their local governments, insisting on appropriate actions. EEIU Fellows and Members have founded local chapters, established contacts with the media and arranged for articles about the EEIU and its aims to appear in local newspapers. These are examples of activities that we are presently concentrating on. In other words: we begin "at the bottom" .

The perspectives outlined in your letter comprise significant "follow up steps". However, at present, we can only move step by step.

In view of the dramatic dimensions of human misconduct I welcome the fact that a number of other efforts and organizations parallel those of the EEIU. We cannot have too much of this!

Our long-term intention is to join forces with such groups and in this way to increase the total pressure for change.

Kind regards,

Otto Kinne

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04.01.99

From: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Dear Professor Kinne,

So far we have had two conferences on Eco-Ethics. Now I will outline the main steps of activities of the Sevastopol EEIU Chapter 1 and Eco-Ethics Youth Action Group (EEYAG):

1998 -- formation of EEYAG. Our main task was to establish ourselves and put into practice the eco-ethics principles worked out by President Prof. Otto Kinne and detailed by EEIU Vice-President Prof. Acad. Gennady Polikarpov in the Sevastopol EEIU Chapter 1 program and its Youth group. It was important to decide on the plan of development and to realize that we are not alone in doing so. During that period we worked out tactics and strategies for our activities by a process of trial and error. We had our first interviews on TV, which were not very successful at times, and we produced our first publications. The first EE Conference in 1999 showed that EE had taken root in the Sevastopol soil. We found like-minded people in Kiev and Alushta. Having analyzed the Conference results we set as our goal to spread the ideas and principles of Eco-Ethics to all the regions of Ukraine -- it's very important not only to follow these rules but to teach them to others. The task of spreading the ideas became our main priority in 1999. And it's not suprising that the EEYAG members discussed and agreed on the principles at every forum. Many people became interested.

We managed to get Ukraine's Academy of Pedagogical Sciences interested and I was invited to speak at a conference conducted by it. It was a success. As a result , 22 regions of Ukraine showed their interest in EE principles. Sevastopol's department's work was summed up at the 2nd All-Ukrainian Eco-Ethics Conference held under the motto "Eco-Ethics -- a way for mankind to survive." It was dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of N.N. Timofeev-Resovsky and was held in Sevastopol, January 3-5, 2000. Representatives of Ukraine's 13 regions and 40 schools of Sevastopol, local community members, mass media men from Sevastopol and Kiev attended the conference. It was broadcasted on the local TV.

The Plenary meeting was held on January 4, 2000, at the Business and Cultural Center of Sevastopol. 300 people attended. After the opening of the conference we read the letters of greetings sent by Prof. Otto Kinne and Acad. Gennady Polikarpov. Then there were reports made by P.Polikarpov (Sevastopol), Dr. Fedorik (Kiev), Dr. Tereschenko (Sevastopol), T. Gvozdariova - EEYAG leader (Sevastopol), N. Kuevda -- head of children's union "Ecological Watch" (Sevastopol), M.Kovalenko - Chairman of Children's Ecological Parliament (Sevastopol), Y. Paschenko - head of Ukrainian Children's Ecological Union "Ecological Watch" (Kiev). Materials were presented about N.V. Timofeev-Resovsky sent by Dr. Gorbushin, Chairman of Obninsk Target Committee (Russia). At the end of the Plenary Meeting there was a concert organized by Ukrainian Navy.

Section work was organized on January 5, 2000, at School-Lyceum #8. There were 4 sections: Eco-Ethics, Ecology, Human Rights and Regional Studies. 52 reports made by speakers from various regions of Ukraine and Sevastopol were presented there. The 12 best reports were chosen and their authors were awarded with diplomas and valuable gifts. A jury aknowledged the high level of preparation. The youngest participant, Dima Makeev, was awarded a cake.

The following regions and cities sent delagations: Kiev (3 delegations), Lugansk (2), Donetsk, Zaporozie, Dnepropetrovsk, Lutsk, Chernovtsy, Simferopol, Chmelnitsk, Sevastopol (1).

Summing up the Conference results I can say that Eco-Ethics became deeply rooted not only in Sevastopol but in all Ukraine. Every participant took home a full package of materials on EE. The work of the Conference would not have been possible without sponsors' support. The tourist firm "Laspi" let us use two buses free of charge, the "Radio-taxi" firm donated money to organize the conference. The Sevastopol plant of non-alcoholic beverages donated soft drinks. The All-Ukrainian Ecological League paid participants' travel expenses. The Ukrainian Navy helped us with sound equipment and gave a good concert. "Gess and Co" firm paid our guests' tickets to the Sevastopol Aquarium. The Sevastopol EEIU Chapter 1 is very grateful to all the sponsors.

The Conference is over but the work is going on. Our priorities for 2000 are studying EEIU principles, working out and implementing of new forms and methods of Youth Groups activities and Children's Ecological Parliament, and closer interaction with government and mass media structures.

Ludmilla Marchukova

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Reply 05.01.99

From: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany
To: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine

Dear Ludmilla Marchukova,

Thank you very much for your important report (04.01.1999) which I find on my desk after returning from a trip to Asia. I have asked Scott Burgess--General Editor of EEIU--to edit your report and place it on the internet.

Kind regards,

Otto Kinne

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25.04.99

From: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Dear Professor Kinne,

We had an eco-meeting on the Earth Day, which was on the 22nd of April. And it went great! After a short speech, when children spoke, all the teachers, school-children and visitors went to a nearby park and made a chain symbolizing unity. Afterwards we returned to the school yard where we had set tables with a roll of paper for the children to draw on. Each pupil was asked to draw a picture.

We ended the meeting with the song "We are all the children of the Sun". Each class had prepared an eco-ethical motto and a poster. They were placed in the school lobby. On the same day our children worked in the park area called Maksimova Dacha and showed themselves approved eco-scouts. They set a good example for other schools about how to 'fix' the nature.

We had dictations given to the school children on eco-ethics at the Russian lessons. In addition, on the basis of the EEYAG (Eco-Ethics Youth Action) program, an All-Ukrainian program "Clean Your Land" was worked out. It will be instituted in all the Ukrainian schools starting next academic year.

The American Peace Corps in Ukraine organized a seminar (April 7 to 9) dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Earth Day. I spoke there about eco-ethical principles to the volunteers and Ukraine's ecological organizations representatives. That aroused their interest. EEYAG members offered to pedestrianize one of the central streets in Sevastopol on week-ends and holidays. Another initiative of ours to revive a park area Maksimova Dacha is underway.

Many best wishes,

Ludmilla Marchukova

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From: Ludmilla Marchukova, Chair, Sevastopol Chapter 1, Sevastopol, Ukraine
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Dear Professor Kinne,

I thank you from my heart for your high evaluation of my work. It gladdens me that more and more people are getting interested in eco-ethics; it means that it is very relevant and we are on the right path. We are always happy to co-operate with those who turn to us.

Last summer was very fruitful; I spent the whole time in the ecological camp. I oversaw 250 children from all over Ukraine being trained in eco-ethics.

In addition, the children did some eco-ethical research in the state reserve, Cape Aya. I am preparing a report now about our summer work.

I am very thankful for your financial help to our organization. We are actually in need of finances since we are getting ready for the annual EE Congress. It will be held in Sevastopol in October.

We are also thankful for your sending us copies of the wonderful magazine 'National Geographic'. We are receiving it on a regular basis. My students always use its contents for their activities, for preparing reports and for polishing their English.

Respectfully yours,

Ludmilla Marchukova

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From: Prof. Sergei Ostroumov, Chair, Moscow Chapter 2, Moscow, Russia
To: Prof. Otto Kinne, EEIU President, Headquarters, Germany

Good News From Moscow

Dear Professor Kinne,

Some good news on progress in our activities/initiatives.

1. Prof. Sergei Ostroumov (Chair of the EEIU Moscow Chapter 2) has published a scientific book. In this book he refers to the EEIU and invites new members.

2. The EEIU Moscow Chapter 2 is establishing a Task Force which will participate in and help organise a conference on 'Aquatic Ecosystems and Organisms'. The name of the Task Force is 'Consortium for Aquatic Sciences'.

Thank you again for your agreeing to be on the Advisory Board of our new scientific edition of the series 'Ecological Studies, Hazards, Solutions'. It will include abstracts of our recent scientific conference on aquatic ecosystems.

Kind wishes,

S.O.

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