Podkarpackie Hosts Ukrainian Journalists

October 15, 2007

Two groups of journalists from cities across Ukraine visited the Podkarpackie region from October 11-15 to participate in program organized by the Polish foundation Partnership for Democracy.  Partnership for Democracy, which is partially supported by the US consulate in Krakow, organizes study tours for Ukrainian journalists in Poland to showcase aspects of Poland’s transformation since 1989.  October’s program featured a day-long discussion at Radio Rzeszów on the Polish-Ukrainian border after Schengen Zone protocols will be implemented on January 1, 2008.  Representatives from the border guards and customs joined Minister for Regional Development Grażyna Gęsicka to talk in practical terms about visas, border crossings and the Polish-Ukrainian relationship after post-Schengen.  Consulate officers Susan Parker-Burns and John Surface also spoke about Polish-Ukrainian relations after Schengen. The annual “Media Forest” event was held in Bieszczady National Park on October 12.  Polish and Ukrainian schoolchildren joined foresters from both countries, local government officials, customs officers and journalists in planting trees in an annual symbol of reconciliation. The group also enjoyed a barbeque and performances by Polish and Ukrainian folk groups after the tree planting.  Finally, Ukrainian journalists met with city officials from Bircza and Dynów to learn about programs to attract tourism to the region and the environmental protection of the San River, which runs through both Poland and Ukraine.