System Capital Management held a presentation of the largest Ukrainian corporate charity Foundation for Development of Ukraine.

Symbolically the presentation of the unique Foundation for Development of Ukraine took place at the most well-know national historical and cultural site Sophia Kievskaya. Why unique? Because there has been nothing like this foundation in Ukraine before.
 
Firstly, no commercial entity has earmarked such substantial funds for long-term philanthropy. And System Capital Management is planning to invest $10 million annually for social projects - it is a record amount for corporate foundations! Three core programmes have already been developed: Health of the Nation, Contemporary Education and Cultural Heritage. And particular projects have been launched in each of these areas!
 
Secondly, in contrast to most of its predecessors the corporate foundation has been created not for some dubious political dividends. Judge for yourself: the Foundation for Development of Ukraine started to operate as far back as one year ago, i.e. - before the elections. But to avoid scandals and accusations from mudslingers the official presentation was postponed until the post-election period. It was arranged as late as in May... Thirdly the Board of the Foundation for Development of Ukraine includes people of various professions and even various political views. Among the members of the Board there are businessmen, members of parliament and scientists? Come of them belong to the "orange", others - to the "white and blue". So, if this Foundation gains momentum (which is beyond any doubt now) it will really work for development of Ukraine, and not for someone’s personal interests!
 
According to SCM this foundation has been established in accordance with the principle of social responsibility which has been determined as a priority value by the company’s principal shareholder Rinat Akhmetov.
 
"I have always been driven by the need to help people and I have always tried to do this to the best of my abilities", says Rinat Akhmetov, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development of Ukraine. "I appreciate the efforts of the team which shares my philosophy - to give people a chance. There are people who are diagnosed with a serious illness but they are ready to struggle and need just a little help to defeat disease. There are also those who received a good education, but they need just a little encouragement at the initial stage and they will then make their own efforts to become successful professionals. When life gives these people a chance they will definitely use it. We will help those who are ready to fight"
 
By Aleksey Nekrasov
Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine
 
Three Projects have been Launched
 
1. The Health of the Nation programme features a project to introduce a treatment strategy for drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Donetsk oblast. The project has been developed together with the World Health Organisation and will be implemented over a four-year period. The Foundation will invest about UAH15 million in this project.
 
2. As a part of its Contemporary Education programme the Foundation carries out projects in cooperation with the Economic Education and Research Consortium. The EERC Masters programme features various projects to improve skills and finance the professional development of young managers including meetings with economists and political leaders, internship in governmental departments, conferences, summer schools, and joint researches conducted by lecturers and students. SCM Group has provided more than UAH1.5 million for realisation of this project over two years.
 
3. Within the framework of the Cultural Heritage programme, the Foundation is taking part in restoration of the national historical and cultural site Sophia Kievskaya, in particular - of the Metropolitan’s Residence. After reconstruction the plan is to use the Metropolitan’s Residence as a venue for official State and summit events. In addition, it will become the home of the Museum of Ukrainian Architecture and host a range of exhibitions and displays, and a graphic art school. The Museum of Ukrainian Architecture will be the principle part of the exposition. UAH15 million has already been provided by the Foundation for implementation of this project.

19.05.06