Republic
23.05.2006
Belarus is a catalyst of the international cooperation in mitigating the Chernobyl consequences, first information minister of the Republic of Belarus Liliya Ananich stated at the international seminar for mass media “The role of mass media in preventing man-caused catastrophes. Track record of Belarus and international organizations in cushioning the impact of the Chernobyl disaster”.
Belarus is the worst affected country among the former Soviet Union republics, the deputy minister reminded. 23 per cent of its territory was contaminated with radionuclides; material losses of Belarus have amounted to USD 235 billion since the disaster. The country’s experience is very useful because not a single state is safeguarded again man-cased catastrophes, considers Liliya Ananich. Mass media can draw the attention of the society to the existing problems, help minimize a risk and promote joint decision making.
The international seminar organized by the information ministry of Belarus and the national UNESCO commission of the Republic of Belarus is held in Minsk on May 23-24. The event aims to exchange the knowledge, experience between mass media outlets of the three countries in covering the ways to mitigate and prevent the consequences of man-caused catastrophes following the example of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Attending the seminar are experts and journalists from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, representatives of the government bodies of Belarus.