Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States, His Excellency Olexander Motsyk will attend the Chernobyl Symposium presented by Dickinson State University and the Ukrainian Cultural Institute July 23 in Beck Auditorium on the DSU campus. Motsyk, who was named ambassador in June, will deliver the keynote address at 1:30 p.m. The Symposium at DSU is part of the 25th Annual Ukrainian Festival held in Dickinson, which lasts from July 19 through July 24 and attracts visitors from across the United States and Canada.

The symposium focuses on the aftermath of the meltdown of the Number Four reactor at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, on April 26, 1986. The meltdown, which occurred during a power test, created an explosion and subsequent fire that released several radioactive elements into the atmosphere. It is considered the worst nuclear accident in history. Its effects are still being felt today, especially in light of the decaying sarcophagus that was put in place to contain the radiation.

“The symposium is an opportunity to not only learn more about Chernobyl, but also to learn more about the effects of radiation on the eco-system and the people affected by the clean-up and subsequent fall-out,” said Dr. Rich Brauhn, director of special projects and reports. “Chernobyl has become not only a health issue, it is a major political issue in the Ukraine, Russia and the European Union regarding the future of the site and the massive funding necessary to make sure the radiation is contained properly.”

In addition to Ambassador Motsyk, Mary Mycio, author of Wormwood Forest: A Natural History of Chernobyl, will give a presentation of her investigation into the explosion and ensuing disaster at Chernobyl. A panel discussion, “The Biological, Ecological and Political Long-Term Effects of the Chernobyl Meltdown,” moderated by Brauhn, will follow the keynote speech by the ambassador. Panelists include Mycio; His Eminence, Archbishop Antony, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., and New York City, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States and Humanitarian of the Year for the Chernobyl Children’s Relief Fund; Dr. Terrence Haverluk, professor of geopolitics at the U.S. Air Force Academy; Captain Rob Skrotsky, U.S. Navy retired reservist; and Dr. Lynn Burgess, associate professor of biology and toxicology at DSU.

A pre-symposium teacher workshop will take place July 22 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The workshop, led by Dr. Corinne Brevik, associate professor of physics, Dr. Mike Shaughnessy, associate professor of biology and Dr. Burgess, will explore the long- and short-term effects of the fallout on humans and the environment.

DSU sponsors the Chernobyl Symposium as part of its mission to provide cultural and intellectual activities to the community and region.