Recognising the global environmental crisis, the critical environmental situation in the region as a whole, and our particular responsibility before the world community and future generations for the preservation of Lake Baikal, in 1990, a small group of concerned citizens set up the Non-Governmental Organisation, "Baikal Environmental Wave".
Our partner and sponsor – Heinrich Boell Foundation
Mission: "The Wave" promotes a clear policy for the consistent orientation of the economy and society towards environmental protection and sustainable development, acting itself to this end by encouraging education, information, discussion, and public participation in decision-making processes.
Aims: To set up a strong environmental information and education centre for the Baikal region for the promotion of
To accomplish these aims, work is being undertaken in the following areas:
1. Development of "heflthy" democratic traditions within the organisation
The policy of "sustainable development" supposes well-informed citizen's involvement in decision-making processes and strong democratic practices. We believe that this can be achieved more readily in a society where citizens organise themselves in a creative, democratic way, drawing on individual skills and talents for the achievement of agreed aims, than in a society entrenched in and fettered by either a hierarchical command-administrative system or the dictate of big business. In order to 'live' this policy, the "Wave"carries out its activities in the truly democratic spirit of grassroots citizens' initiatives. This is reflected in its mission, principles of work and structure.
2. Publishing
The "Wave" is a licensed publisher, producing its own quarterly environmental journal, "Volna" — winner of the Golden Nike, First Degree Diploma, for the "Best green journal-'98" in Russia at the III All-Russian Journalists' Contest '99, pamphlets and books in translation and by Russian authors. It welcomes co-operation with local scientists who would like to share their special knowledge of the Baikal region, of economics and law with a wider reading public. The role of its publications is to make environmental literature more widely available to the general public, and stimulate citizens' involvement.
3. Videolibrary, production and work with the media
Our video library includes some 70 Russian and foreign films, including the Wave's own production. The organisation has its own video studio that produces films, 'social jingles', and news reports for both local and national TV channels.
4. Purposeful and active lobbying on critical environmental questions towards the achievment of concrete results
In carrying out this aspect if its work, the Wave constantly works with local and national state and commercial organisations, foreign and Russian NGOs, and the media. Important experience is being gained in the organisation of 'round tables' with representatives of all sectors and the media for the open exchange of views on issues of importance to the environment.
The "Wave's" Environmental Information and Education Centre provides up-to-date environmental information and analyses for educational institutions and the public. The library subscribes to a range of periodicals in Russian and English, buys books and textbooks related to environmental questions that are as yet very limited in number and geographical distribution, and receives regular electronic bulletins and information from the Internet where it has its own site (www.baikalwave.eu.org). The Centre distributes a monthly "Eco-digest" to 47 regional newspapers. Six 'mobile' libraries have been launched for rural schools, providing a unique service. Staff provide consultation and assistance to visitors seeking specific information.
5. Provision of environmental information and seeing to its availability to a variety of users
Though Irkutsk is a highly developed scientific centre, studies specifically relating to environmental questions are relatively lacking and where they do exist, the information is more often than not in an unreadable form for the non-specialist. For this reason we are building up connections with local scientists in order to make information on regional environmental questions available to a wider audience in a readable form. As far as is possible, our own staff collects information on local problems. The Centre makes important English language environmental literature available for the Russian speaking public with its translations and publications.
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