Younger generation reflects on Chornobyl anniversary (04/21/96)

Younger generation reflects on Chornobyl anniversary

by Yarema A. Bachynsky

NEW YORK - Ukrainian American university students and young professionals are an integral part of diaspora efforts at helping Ukraine deal with the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. Some work full-time with organizations such as the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund. Others contribute as and when they can, whether through donations or volunteer work. Still others raise awareness of the Chornobyl accident and its effects among their mainstream American peers.

All share a common belief in the need for constant consciousness-raising efforts by the Ukrainian American community, so that in this year of election politics, a golden opportunity to turn Ukraine's Chornobyl tragedy into a living lesson for the world is not missed.

At the10th anniversary commemorative dinner held on April 8 at Columbia University, The Weekly spoke with a number of twenty-and-thirty-something individuals, to see what they felt had, could or should be done by the Ukrainian community to make the world deal with Chornobyl.

Mark Hatalak, a computer and program analyst whose work has brought him to Kyiv on a number of occasions, said the Chornobyl accident highlights the relative benefits and drawbacks of nuclear energy. "Clearly, the negative consequences of nuclear energy generation can outweigh the benefits," said Mr. Hatalak. From his contacts with residents of Ukraine, Mr. Hatalak has heard that there is insufficient explanation of the long-term dangers of radiation exposure, and this helps stress people out unduly. This information gap ought to be corrected, Mr. Hatalak felt.

Nadia Kihiczak, an environmental science/pre-med major at Columbia University, commenting on Roz Abrams' speech at the dinner, thought it was a boon to the community that an "outsider" such as Ms. Abrams, who is a co-anchor on WABC-TV News here, could be so moved by the victims of Chornobyl, to publicly pledge to do all in her power to highlight the world's worst nuclear accident. Ms. Kihiczak said the Ukrainian government should stress the international, global nature of the tragedy in order to garner aid.

George Boichuk, an attorney, noted that those assembled at the dinner were, on the whole, younger than the audience at typical community gatherings. Mr. Boichuk said he felt Ukrainian American youth itself needs to become more involved in Chornobyl aid efforts.

Reflecting on the diverse backgrounds of those present at the evening's commemoration, Adriana Melnyk, president of the Ukrainian Society of Columbia University and a student of international banking, thought the event was an excellent opportunity to show "outsiders" how the Ukrainian American community works on problems affecting it. In Ms. Melnyk's view, students and youth in general should make American academia and environmental groups more aware of Chornobyl, so that these entities would then publicize the situation to the general public.

Xenia Piaseckyj, who is employed by an environmental consulting firm whose clients include the Environmental Protection Agency, and who was involved in the preparation of the CCRF dinner, said that the single best way to bring the significance of Chornobyl home to the American public is to personalize it. Ms. Piaseckyj mentioned, in particular, Ms. Abrams' reminiscences of her experience in Kyiv, seeing actual "children of Chornobyl" suffering from all-too-real illnesses.

The diaspora must learn to network and reach out beyond its own, if it is to ensure that the Chornobyl disaster is properly dealt with, according to Ms. Piaseckyj.

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