October 8, 2004 was a date when all-Ukrainian Non-Government JournalistsAssociationNovomedia was officially founded. That day, the founder of the organization RuslanKukharchuk and a Board Member Andrey Makarenkoreceived the certificate ofNovomedia registration in the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. It was an exciting moment, since a big dream was becoming reality through the first small practical achievements. 

Since then, for the past decade Novomedia team hasworked hard in the field of mass media. "Our motto did not change: "Transformation of Media → Transformation of Society". Our mission is constant: help journalists and cooperate with church,"says RuslanKukharchuk. "The media profession is powerful in its commitment to clear, transparent standards and professional excellence. Journalism becomes responsible and safe when founded on Christian values; when based on a desire to broadcast the truth and goodness."

During ten years of its existence, Novomediahas gotten to reach thousands of participants who attended various events. 

"I am very pleased to have such a union of Christian journalists. We can help participants in their media development. Certainly, we still have a lot to do,"- said Board Member AndreyMakarenko. 

The first meetings were conducted as small board ones in an old Recreation Centre Named after Batuyk (Golososeevskiydistrict of Kyiv City), and now conferences and forums are held in some of the largest venues in the capital –the Cinema House and theUkrainian House.

"Time flies;it has not been long since we celebrated our five-year anniversary, and today we are ten. Now we are facing new challenges in order to at least double our results," says Denis Semenyuk, Board Member and Head of the Internet Department of Novomedia. 

Annual conferences of the association are Novomedia’s largest educational projects. Among other regular initiatives are Media Weekend, Christianity Online, Medialand.The biggest annual event isInternational NovomediaForum. Another one of particular importance isNovomedia Awards ceremony aimed at acknowledgingindividual journalists and editorial offices forcoveringthe issues offaith, church and Christian values in the secular media. Besides, Novomediafounded the New Journalist School and released a guidebook "The New Journalist. Mastering the Media Profession".

"I am glad to seesecularmass media more inclined tolistento the voice of the Christians, as well as to see moremedia coverage of stories and issues related to eternal values. And this is exactly what NovomediaAssociation aimsfor,” saysNovomedia Board Member Sergei Velbovets.

Read: Anniversary greetings from the President

Press Center of Novomedia Association