Moscow, Russia - The Moscow office of the UN Environment Programme sent a letter in support of UPF-Russia's annual Baikal Lake training program, which combines service projects with spiritual development. For a report about last summer's project, click here. It won first place in the ecology category in the Volunteer 2009 All-Russia competition. 
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
Moscow Office
9, Leontyevsky side-street, Moscow, Russia, 125009
Tel: [7 495] 787 2156 • Fax: [7 495] 787-7763
Reference: unepm-27/2010
05 July 2010
Att.: Mr. Skvortsov E.F., Head of the annual ecological and tourist “Baikal Project”
Esteemed Mr. Skvortsov,
The Moscow Office of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) is welcoming the involvement of youth in environmental protection activity, as an activity providing social benefits, and teaching young people responsibility, patriotism and love for nature. In this regard, the “Baikal Project” is of special significance.
Considering that the Baikal Lake is listed on the UNESCO global list of natural heritage sites, your project of tourism and ecological cultural development through securing access to unique natural sites in the Baikal Region becomes a visible positive example of Russia’s efforts toward fulfilling the UN General Assembly’s Millennium Goals.
Also, your desire to draw young people’s attention to the development of ecological culture by not only preserving the natural environment around Baikal Lake but also by educating them after project participants have returned home deserves support in every possible way.
The “Baikal Project” has become a unique training program in nature for youth to gain practical ecological experience and then practice it and expand it throughout the territory of Russia and other CIS countries. The atmosphere of friendship and healthy lifestyle is the best means to strengthen young people’s desire to transmit this atmosphere to their home communities.
Positively evaluated are the efforts of the “Baikal Project” in training volunteers for the realization of ecological projects, developing a volunteer movement in Russia, and protecting natural reserves by directing groups of tourists along prepared paths and using prepared rest stations.
We sincerely hope that the ecological experience gained by the young participants through your project will be supported and expanded to different regions of the country, to places where solving ecological issues is urgent and socially significant.
With my best wishes
A. Gudyma
Head of the Moscow UNEP Office