On March 23, 2024, the "Risks in Focus" Safety Festival 2024 took place at the Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center, organized by the HALO Trust Ukraine with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
The purpose of the festival is to obtain current information in the field of mine action, highlight and discuss the current situation regarding the formation and popularization of sustainable safety skills in response to risks from explosive hazards, and to honor the most active instructors in information dissemination and exchange of experience among participants.
Representatives from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine, the research laboratory "Rating Lab," as well as Ukrainian charitable and public organizations were invited to participate in the panel discussion on the topic "Mine Action as a Key Stage in Restoring Livelihoods: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow."
Marianna Tkalych, Director of Rating Lab, was invited to the panel discussion, part of which was dedicated to the specifics of risky behavior and awareness of mine safety within the context of a large-scale research project by the Sociology Group of Rating Lab commissioned by UNICEF.
The event was opened by Pete Smith, Director of the HALO Ukraine program, and His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Jennes de Mol. During the event, a panel discussion, exhibition, presentations on innovative methods of informing the population about mine danger, and a ceremony to honor the most active instructors were conducted.
It is worth noting that such events are held to increase awareness among Ukrainians about mine danger, as the complete clearance of the country from mines will take years, even after the end of the war.
