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Anticipation of civil society |
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Free And Fair Elections 2004 |
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Deloitte & Touche Independent Auditor's Report Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2005 |
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Report on actions by the Conscious Choice 2006 Public Campaign |
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Open Society
An open society is a society based on the recognition that nobody has a monopoly on the truth, that different people hold different views and interests, and that there is a need for institutions to protect the rights of all people to allow them to live together in peace. The term "open society" was popularized by the philosopher Karl Popper in his 1945 book "Open Society and its Enemies". Generally speaking, an open society is characterized by a reliance on the rule of law, the existence of a democratically elected government, a multifarious and vigorous civil society, and respect for minorities as well as minority opinions. George Soros
George Soros was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1930. He emigrated in 1947 to England, where he graduated from the London School of Economics, and then in 1956 to the United States, where he began to accumulate a large fortune through an international investment fund he founded and managed. While still a student at the London School of Economics, Mr. Soros became familiar with the work of the philosopher Karl Popper, who had a profound influence on his thinking and, later on, his philanthropic activities.
Mr. Soros established his first foundation in New York in 1979 — the Open Society Fund. His first Eastern European foundation was created in Hungary in 1984, and the Soros Foundation — Soviet Union in 1987. He now funds a network of non-profit foundations and other organizations. In all, roughly $350 million were given away in 1996. In addition to many articles on the political and economic changes in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, Mr. Soros is the author of "The Alchemy of Finance", Opening the Soviet System, and Underwriting Democracy. Mr. Soros' most recent book, "Soros on Soros: Staying Ahead of the Curve", is now available in Ukraine in translation to Russian.
Soros Foundations Network
The numerous non-profit foundations and organizations created and funded by the philanthropist George Soros are linked together in an informal network — the Soros Foundations Network. At the heart of this network are autonomous organizations known as "national foundations," operating in 57 countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Central Eurasia, as well as in Southern Africa, Haiti, Guatemala, and the United States. These foundations share the common mission of supporting the development of an open society.
• • • Please note that Mr. Soros's private political activities are wholly separate from OSI and the Soros Foundations Network. As required by U.S. laws governing tax-exempt private foundations, OSI (U.S.) is a nonpartisan organization and does not itself engage, or support any organizations or individuals that engage, in any electoral campaign activities, whether in support or opposition of political parties or candidates. The OSI (U.S.) Communications Department is provided by its clipping service with copies of any articles that refer to Mr. Soros or certain other individuals associated with the foundation, however. Many of these are distributed as a matter of general interest, regardless of whether the subject matter touches directly upon foundation activities.
International Renaissance Foundation (IRF)
The International Renaissance Foundation (IRF) was founded in April 1990. IRF is an integral part of the International Soros network which incorporates national and regional foundations in more than thirty countries around the world, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the former Soviet Union. These foundations share a common goal of supporting educational, social and legal initiatives that promote the development and establishment of an open society.
IRF is the Ukraine's one of the largest charity organization. Its main objective is to provide financial and operational assistance to the development of an open and democratic society in Ukraine by supporting key civic initiatives in this area.
The International Renaissance Foundation finances projects and programs which foster the development of civil society, promote rule of law and independent mass media. Funds are also allocated for diversification of information resources for the third sector, democratization of education and public health, advancing of social capital and academic publications, as well as ensuring protection of national minorities rights and their integration into Ukrainian society.
In 2009 IRF is going to provide financial support in the amount of up to $ 6 million to the projects that encourage European integration, strengthening the impact of civil society and its control over the government, the system of civic protection of rights and establishment of the rule of law in Ukraine, penitentiary reform, civic activities of ethnic minorities, educational and public health reforms, publishing activities etc.
IRF's Executive Board and Program Boards determine the program priorities. Composed of prominent public figures and experts, the Boards address IRF's key action areas: civil society, rule of law, education, mass media, health care etc. As the chief civic structure within IRF, it elaborates the general strategy for the entire organization.
IRF keeps public informed of its programs and their implementation through publications in print media, by holding news conferences and presentations, via the Internet etc. Foundation employees, as well as its regional information partners consult public on IRF-supported projects and grants.
IRF makes its grants only to non-governmental organizations. As a rule, the International Renaissance Foundation announces project competitions in advance. Grants are made to Ukrainian organizations whose projects meet the priorities of the competitions.
At the same time, IRF considers applications of citizens regarding the financing of various projects, whose aims meet the Foundation’s objectives.
Apart from making grants to other organizations, IRF conducts its own operational activities by implementing projects in priority action areas.
IRF finances national programs from its budget upon the recommendations of the Executive Board and Program Boards. The Foundation's experience in Ukraine and its close cooperation with other donor organizations in Central and Eastern Europe make it possible to monitor changes in Ukrainian society. Moreover, IRF attempts to predict these changes. IRF program activities are predominantly oriented to the European experience.
Over the period from 1990 to 2008 the International Renaissance Foundation supported numerous Ukrainian non-government organizations (NGOs), community groups, academic and cultural institutions, publishing houses etc. in the amount of over $ 100 million. History of Our House
In August 1999 during repairs in the IRF Head Office an old capsule was found. It contained a message written by 20 Hungarian prisoners of war who were building the mansion for the family of a Soviet general who perished in World War II. Besides the message in Hungarian there was also a message in Russian: "This building was being constructed by Yurka, prisoner of war".
Souvenir: "Kiev, February 10, 1948. This building has been constructed by the decent work of 20 men, Hungarian prisoners of war. Whoever finds this note, read it and remember it was made by the hands of Hungarian men. On the other side you can read the names of those who have constructed this building."
- Szabo Lajos — foreman
- Dombradi Karoly — bricklayer
- Borsos Marton — bricklayer
- Moldvan Janos — bricklayer
- Mano Lajos — bricklayer
- Hunyadi Gyorgy — carpenter
- Ivancsics Kalman — carpenter hand
- Varga Mihaly — carpenter hand
- Pal Jozsef — fireplace-maker
- Fodor Mihaly — odd-job man
- Urban Mihaly — odd-job man
- Liszkai Miklos — odd-job man
- Abram Zsigmond — odd-job man
- Molnar Ferenc — odd-job man
- Kovacz Ferenc — odd-job man
- Cziki Jozsef — joiner
- Bakos Albert — bricklayer
- Presinszky Janos — odd-job man
- Demi Domokos — parquet floor layer
- Koch Janos — cook
As on his visit to Kiev in November the year 2000, George Soros felt attracted by the history of the IRF Head Office. In point of fact, the IRF headquarters at 46 Artema Street was purchased for $172 000 from Kyiv City Administration and now the IRF is full fledged owner of all the IRF offices.
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