The Risk Abatement Center for Central and Eastern Europe (RACE), located in Katowice, Poland, was created in 1996 in response to a critical need for comprehensive nd cost effective environmental management in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In conjunction with careful consideration of social, economic and legal factors, RACE promotes the use of scientific risk assessment methods and innovative technologies as essential tools to decide priorities and effectively use resources in managing the CEE environment. RACE shall provide an efficient means for developing and implementing solutions tonvironmental problems by combining a knowledge of existing CEE conditions nd past practices with modern environmental risk assessment strategies and innovative technologies being pioneered in Western Europe and the United States.

Another important reason for establishing RACE was to implement the United Nations ECE Declaration of Ministers in Sofia, October 1995, which calls for the creation of independent regional environmental institutions within CEE countries to facilitate information access and dissemination, provide education and training, and involve the public in formulatingnvironmental policy.

RACE is an international cooperative research, education and training institution that develops and puts into practice risk management methods and new technologies to solvenvironmental problems. RACE acts as a forum and clearinghouse to facilitate cooperation, exchange information and experience, and to educate and train professionals.

Principal goals of RACE are to:

• develop, adapt and transfer to decision makers risk management strategies for application via environmental policy,
• evaluate, adapt and transfer innovative technologies,
• track and monitor primary environmental risks in CEE countries, and
• increase public awareness and involvement in environmental decision making.

RACE is an independent non-profit foundation and functions according to rules and regulations recognized by similar organizations operating in Western countries. The organizational structure of RACE includes a President; Supervisory Board; Steering Committee; Managerial Board with an Executive Director and Deputy Director; and a cadre of key technical staff. A majority of RACE projects is implemented by professionals and institutions working under cooperative or contractual agreements with RACE.

RACE activities focus on:

• risk assessment and management methods,
• risk communication,
• contaminated site characterization methods,
• innovative cleanup and abatement technologies, and
• data quality control and standardization of measuring and monitoring systems.

Case studies, pilot and demonstration projects, training and public awareness campaigns are performed by RACE to offer decision makers opportunities to take part in development and application of risk management policies and new technologies through practical experience. Through these activities RACE aims to demonstrate the benefits of using more effectiveisk based policy tools and build local and regional support for their application.

English is the official language of RACE because of its widespread international use.

Involvement of other professionals and institutions in the development and implementation phases of RACE projects is necessary. Crucial elements to the success of RACE goals and activities are the engagement of a broad range of expertise, sharing of information and experience, disseminating findings and cooperation with government, private and non-profit institutions who are interested and experienced in the development and application of environmental risk assessment methods and innovative technologies.

RACE
6 Kossutha st., 40-833 Katowice, POLAND,
Phone: (+48-32) 154-01-64, Fax: (+48-32) 154 17 17,