Ukraine PM Tymoshenko pledges to save Artek children's center

The Ukrainian government has pledged to take control of the situation regarding the cash-strapped International Children's Center Artek in the Crimea, the prime minister said Friday.

[Maksim]

Artek is symbol of Soviet Era corruption... Only kids of prominent party leaders got to there... So no reason to save it as a monument to comunism. However, once times get better and with better management this could be made into a very successful franchise in from USSR space. So rights to the name are very valuable..

[Glenn Ivan]

I think it is a wise move for the Ukrainian government to take control and rebuild or redevelop the place for children. Better controls should be in place to unsure that the proper work is done and that the money does not fall to the corrupt cronies. Anything that is build to help children is great. It could be used for Ukrainian children to get away from their villages and spending some time relaxing. It can also be used for children from all over the world to come and learnand respect the different languages, culture and religion. It should be redeveloped as money becomes available and will provide employment for the people in that region. Under good management it should bcome a good meeting place for all children

[Truth]

Glenn Ivan wrote:

I think it is a wise move for the Ukrainian government to take control and rebuild or redevelop the place for children. Better controls should be in place to unsure that the proper work is done and that the money does not fall to the corrupt cronies. Anything that is build to help children is great. It could be used for Ukrainian children to get away from their villages and spending some time relaxing. It can also be used for children from all over the world to come and learnand respect the different languages, culture and religion. It should be redeveloped as money becomes available and will provide employment for the people in that region. Under good management it should bcome a good meeting place for all children

Sorry Maksim I have to agree. Just because the in the past this was a play area for rich kids does not take away the importance it can hold for future generations.

[Maksim]

Truth wrote:

<quoted text>
Sorry Maksim I have to agree. Just because the in the past this was a play area for rich kids does not take away the importance it can hold for future generations.

Well, Artek has very beautiful setting and with good management could turn into a premier summer camp in the former USSR space( and as you suggest beyond). But it's unlikely to become that if it's managed by a politician in Kiev.

In USSR it was well maintained by people in power because that's where their kids went.

To realize Artek's potential it needs a capable private owner( with some level of government subsidies) who will be able to attract kids from top schools across Russia/Ukraine and Europe.

[SWG]

GUYS!!!
All this would be great and helping the kids is good. BUT, this hollow gesture is like giving someone who had their arm blown off a bandaid!! If she really wants to do something then go and setup something for all the prphan street kids I saw while in Nikolaev. The money would be much better spent there than on a camp.