Environmental Awareness Raising in Higher Educational Establishments

On 23th March 2023, Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” (GSNE “Orchis”), in the frames of Keep Georgia Tidy Project funded by the Government of Sweden, organized a meeting in Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University, Tbilisi, where the following presentations were delivered: “Environment Pollution and Human Health”, “Sustainable Waste Management – Challenges and Development Perspectives” and “Biodiversity, Climate Change and Sustainable Development”. The meeting was attended by students and lecturers of the University, and experts of GSNE “Orchis”.

The meeting sparked a great interest among the participants and triggered thematic debates. The perspectives for future cooperation with GSNE “Orchis” in the areas of environmental protection and circular economy were also defined.

The goal of the Keep Georgia Tidy Project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution of environment by 2023 through environmental sustainable education and promotion circular economy in Georgia. In the frames of the ongoing project, GSNE “Orchis” plans to deliver to the state universities seminars and trainings on various aspects of environmental pollution and human health, waste management and sustainable development goals, and biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Awareness raising events and campaigns, among them restoration of different habitats that have been implemented and planned by the representatives of GSNE “Orchis” are an efficient instrument for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs cover wide range of issues and address crosscutting elements of the sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. In this context, raising awareness of general public and university students among them, biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, proper waste management and care about human health are important elements that are essential for accomplishing the SDGs.

The project is being implemented by GSNE “Orchis” through funding of the Government of Sweden, with the support of Georgian Ministries of Environmental Protection & Agriculture, Education & Science, Economy and Sustainable Development, and Regional Development & Infrastructure.