Legacy

The main objective of GCI's Legacy Programme is to promote the clean-up and conversion of military bases to civilian use, the remediation of nuclear contamination, and the environmentally-responsible destruction of conventional and chemical weapons stockpiles. This programme started in 1994 with the active participation of Green Cross Russia, Global Green USA, and Green Cross Switzerland and the overall support of Green Cross International.

One of the most important achievements of the Legacy Programme is the visible change in awareness and attitudes within the different stakeholder groups in the Russian chemical weapons destruction process. Local communities, having acquired a better understanding of the demilitarisation project, are more realistic (and positive) in their demands and can elaborate (often with Green Cross staff serving as experts) appropriate development strategies for their areas. The federal bodies responsible for implementing the Russian Chemical Weapons Destruction Programme have begun to understand the importance of public out-reach and imitate some of the information activities of Green Cross International (even outside the sphere of chemical weapons demilitarisation itself). The international community providing assistance to the Russian Chemical Weapons Destruction Programme has an increasing understanding of the interface between demilitarisation projects and community realities and needs, and that public outreach is a key factor in preventing the investments of hundreds of millions of dollars into destruction facilities from turning into "white elephants" because of public protests.

The Legacy Programme has also been key in the U.S. Participation in the ACWA process (Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives) and numerous meetings with legislators and administrators were vital for breaking a deadlock surrounding incineration technology, which was threatening to derail the American chemical weapons destruction programme.