|
ABOUT FOUNDERS
Over period of the existence the Centre has been taking an active part in the social, educational and legislative activity. The activity of the Centre was many times illuminated in mass media of CIS, European and American countries. The representatives of our Centre repeatedly took part in different TV programs on rights themes.
The Centre was officially admitted to WSPA (World Society for the protection of Animals) – this powerful organization is an advisory member of UNO and European Parliament and it unites over 300 organizations from more then 70 countries of the world. We are also accepted to the Anti-fur Alliance (includes more than 30 organizations of the world) as the regional representative of its interests in Ukraine and we are the member of International Vegetarian Union (Great Britain) and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
The main achievements of the organization
Since 1998 at the territory of former USSR the Centre has been publishing magazine “Cry” - the first magazine devoted to the human rights, rights of animals and environmental protection (distributed free of charge).
Since 2003 we have been publishing the first at the territory of former USSR newspaper “Time for the Animal Protection” (distributed free of charge).
Since 1999 we have introduced a free course of lectures on bioethics (“Bioethics at High School”) in Kharkov Veterinary Academy.
A lot of cruel experiments conducted on animals in Kharkov Veterinary Academy and other educational establishments were forbidden and new alternative teaching methods were introduced.
We translated and published more than 10 books devoted to animals’ rights.
The Center organized and conducted more than 35 conferences; the representatives of rights organizations were present at some of them.
The shooting of two rights film “When gods fall asleep” and “Madness: challenge and fight” were finished. The films were broadcast at central Ukrainian and Russian channels. These films took part in different film festivals all over the world. Recently we have finished the shooting of historical feature film “The Crucified”, where the sources of rights problems and movements are illuminated from the philosophical point of view.
We shot a documentary film “Bull’s soul”, devoted to the anti-corrida fight and bloody fiestas in Spain.
The Centre organized more than 43 animal protection actions (from 300 to 7000 people were involved).
We organized more than 22 exhibitions and contests on the theme - “Artists, painters, poets, culture workers and youth for animal protection”.
Our organization saved from smugglers two chimpanzees and gave a shelter to them.
Our centre gave home for more than 100 stray cats and dogs. We built a mini-shelter for stray animals.
Great amount of wild animals, including those recordeds in Red data book, were saved. We took part in a wide range of campaigns, such as anti-corrida campaign in Moscow and Barcelona (finally, the corrida in Moscow was forbidden), we also took part in the campaign against hunting in Ukraine (hunting was also forbidden). Besides The Law for animal protection was passed.
Our centre took part in International conferences, actions and demonstrations which were held in England, Spain, France, Turkey, Bulgaria, Holland Italia and Czech Republic.
The members of the centre took part in more than100 TV programs on rights themes, which were broadcast at the territory of Ukraine and Russia.
We are in the process of changing and improving of legislative system of Ukraine.
The aim of our organization is to stop rights violations by all legal and non-violence means. A range of our programs is directed to the environmental protection.
The year of 2007 promises to be full of interesting events and projects:
1. Of course, the most significant project of the year is the organization and conducting of unique and out-and-outer at the territory of former USSR International Rights Film Festival “Steps” (the main themes of which – human rights, animal rights and environmental protection www.cetalife.com.ua).
2. We plan to realize the screening of Jack London’s story “Madness of John Harned” – this is a feature film (the main character from Ukraine sacrifices his life to the fight against cruelty and madness, taking place at Spanish corrida).
3. To translate and publish Peter Singer and Jim Joyce’s new book “Food. What we eat and its effects” (it will be essential book for those who care about their food).
4. To organize and conduct posters contest “Progressive youth against fur 2007” in Ukraine. (The best works will be exhibited at European and international contests). In 2006 our activist Olga Selishchiva won the first prize.
5. To publish and distribute of anniversary edition of magazine “Cry”, devoted to the animals’ rights.
6. To edit a monthly newspaper “Time for the animal protection”.
7. To organize seminars in Kharkov educational establishments.
8. To organize a festival “Youth and artists for animal protection”.
9. To organize a range of campaigns for animals’ rights protection.
10. To conducting a range of vegetarian campaigns.
11. To take part in joint international campaigns and demonstrations for animals protection in European and American countries (meeting of International Anti-fur Alliance in Prague in May).
12. To take part in PETA’s action against bull heat and corrida in Spain in June.
13. To present documentary and feature films produced by our organization for the film festivals, devoted rights themes.
Our Centre is looking forward to the future and we see great prospects for further development of our ideas.
During the period that he Foundation was working more than 10 million dollars were allocated for charity, individual assistance was provided to more than 35,000 people and almost 3,500 organisations.
During the Foundation’s 10-year history the main principle and motto has remained unchanged. It was expressed in a brief and meaningful phrase by the founder, Oleksandr Borysovych Feldman: “Charity is not words but deeds”.
Today the Oleksandr Feldman Foundation works in Ukraine , USA , Israel , UK , Germany and France. Along with social and cultural programmes of different levels (from local to international) it plays a significant role in development of the legal basis for charity and social policy in Ukraine.
From the very beginning the work of the Foundation has been built on long-term programmes. Large-scale campaigns are combined with minute daily systematic work of the head and staff of the Foundation, the “routine” that is not so well noticeable from outside but nevertheless its real results are appreciable.
History of the Foundation starts in 1997 when Oleksandr Feldman founded the Kharkiv City Charitable Foundation AVEÑ. The Foundation went through several stages in its development.
In 1997-2002 its activity concentrated in large-scale charitable programmes at regional and city level, such as “Let’s protect the childhood”, “AVEÑ Gallery”, “Life without Drugs” and “1000 Teams’ Tournament”. They became symbolic for the Kharkiv City Municipal Foundation AVEÑ and allowed it to become one of the biggest charitable organisations of Ukraine.
In 2002-2007 the AVEÑ actively works at the national level. It expands its activity significantly by developing such directions as protection of rights, promotion of the principles of tolerance in the society, non-governmental social and cultural policies, actual social legislation and promotion of national minorities’ cultures. New programmes appear (in particular, “Popular Recognition”, “Kharkiv’s Intellect”, “Memory and Gratitude”). Children football “1000 Teams’ Tournament” gains international reputation: UEFA recognises it as one of the biggest in Europe and winner teams awarded with trips abroad gain sensational victories over their peers from Chelsea, Fulham and other leading football clubs from Europe.
Simultaneously in 2005-2006 AVEÑ Foundation initiates a number of international programmes aimed to promote a positive international image of Ukraine. With this aim, the Foundation was transformed into International Charitable Oleksandr Feldman Foundation.
From the very beginning the Foundation’s activity is based on implementation of long-term programmes. Large-scale campaigns come together with minute daily routine work of the Foundation’s leadership and staff that one cannot so easily see from outside; however its real results are notable. During 10 years the Foundation allocated more than 10 million US dollars for charitable projects, provided individual assistance to more than 35,000 people and almost 3,500 organisations. Today the Oleksandr Feldman Foundation works in Ukraine, USA, Israel, UK, Germany and France. Along with social and cultural programmes of different levels (from local to international) it plays a significant role in development of he legal basis for charity and social policy in Ukraine.
Read more at http://feldmanfund.org.
|
