Kucheriv Ilko

Date of Birth: 01.08.1955

Place of Birth. Education. Born in Kyiv in a family of biologists. In 1979, he graduated from the biological faculty of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. In the 1990s, he did internships at universities in the USA and Canada.

Career. 1981-1989 - Participation in the dissident movement.

1989 - Member of the youth organization 'Hromada', member of the founding committee of the People's Movement of Ukraine (for Perestroika).

1989-1990 - Staff member in the secretariat of the People's Movement of Ukraine.

1992 - Founder, director of the research and teaching center 'Democratic Initiatives' (since 1996 a foundation, main activity - independent sociological research and opinion analysis in Ukraine).

Since 1993 - Editor-in-chief of the newsletter 'Political Portrait of Ukraine'.

2001-2002 - Deputy project director of 'Partnership for a Transparent Society'.

Member of the coordinating council of the 'Ukraine-NATO' league (since 2003), Ukrainian Media Club.

The Democratic Initiatives Foundation, which supports Ukraine's transition to a true democracy and the development of civil society, was the first in the country to conduct exit polls.

In early May 2010, Ilko Kucheriv was diagnosed with lung cancer. On May 29, the well-known expert and activist passed away. According to a later official version published a few days later, a blood clot broke loose when he was given an infusion. In a post on the foundation's website, dated May 28, Ilko Kucheriv stated that he 'remains optimistic'.

Awards. In 2009, President Viktor Yushchenko awarded Ilko Kucheriv the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise 'for his outstanding personal contribution to the defense of the national idea, the creation of an independent Ukrainian state, as well as his active social and political activity'.

Hobbies. Art ceramics, cycling.

31.05.2010