THE SIXTH CONFERENCE ON CIRCULAR ECONOMY

On 1st March 2022, the sixth Conference on Circular Economy was held in Rooms Hotel Tbilisi by Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” (GSNE “Orchis”) in the frame of Keep Georgia Tidy Project to discuss the role of education in accelerating the transition to the Circular Economy. The Conference was attended by the representatives of the universities and other educational entities of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, the Government of Georgia (the principles of the Ministries of the Environment Protection and Agriculture, Education and Science, Economy and Sustainable Development), the Embassy of Sweden/ Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the diplomatic corps, the international financial institutions, media, and the winners of the Essay Competition organized by GSNE for the students.

The conference was opened by the Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Acad. Solomon Pavliashvili. The Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Mr. Otar Shamugia, the Deputy Head of Higher Education and Science Development Department Mr. Zaza Maruashvili, the Head of Development Cooperation/Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Erik Illes and the Chair of Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” Dr. Mariam Kimeridze made their welcoming speeches.

The keynote speaker of the conference was Dr. Dariusz Edward Prasek – an International Expert in sustainable finance, environmental, social and governance areas and circular economy, the member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, the former Director of Operations in Environmental and Sustainability Department of the Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Independent Expert on Development Financing at IDB Invest, who informed the attendants about main aspects of the transition to the circular economy, how this system could be efficiently implemented, and what is the specific role of the universities and academia in this process.

The purpose of the Conference was to inform the representatives of the academia and higher educational entities about the circular economy as they are one of the key enablers of the transition to the circularity, which can play an important role in creating circular businesses. In particular, their role is to educate experts in a variety of areas to correctly identify, conceptualise and develop circular business models and projects that are both sound and bankable, and congruent with a long-term development vision and strategy for the transition to the circular economy.

Together with the overall information about the circular economy and its benefits, challenges and drivers, the Conference particularly emphasized each step of the transition process in the context of Georgia, and highlight the role of universities in educating the experts needed to embrace the circularity principles. Besides, key aspects of the EU policy framework on circular economy, EU Green Deal and European Circular Cities Declaration as an advanced experience in accelerating the transition to the circular economy were also discussed at the meeting.

In his presentation the keynote speaker Dr. Dariusz Prasek accentuated that the circular economy concept has been gaining attention in light of increasing consumption and resource use by a fast-growing population with rising standards of living, and that is a new economic model that represents sustainable progress towards efficient green growth. Furthermore, he stressed that the circular economy is not the responsibility of a chosen few and all of us have the right to participate in the creation of a sustainable future. Dr. Prasek underlined that circular economy education is not aimed at educating special experts in the circular economy, but the objective is that in the future all of us will need to have sound knowledge of circular economy principles and basics, and to know how to implement circular economy solutions in our respective areas of expertise.

After five successful conferences organized during 2019-2021 for policy makers, regional and municipal authorities, business community and financial sector, the Parliament and the Government of Georgia, the sixth Conference on Circular Economy targeted the Georgian universities and academia, which are key enablers of the transition process.

The presentations made on the conference raised a great interest among the participants. The authorities of the academic community and universities / higher educational entities of Georgia articulated that the engagement of governmental authorities at all levels, business and financial sectors, innovators, academia, investors and consumers in this process is crustal in order to promote systemic changes to accelerate the transition to the circular economy. In addition, the Government of Georgia, and specifically the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture outlined the ways for deepening further cooperation with Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” for the implementation of the circular economy program.

The active engagement of the higher educational institutions and the Government of Georgia in the sixth Conference on Circular Economy facilitates to the accelerated transition of our country to the green economy and fulfilment of international commitments of Georgia.

The sixth Conference on Circular Economy was organized commonly by Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis” and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in the frames of the Circular Economy Programme funded by the Government of Sweden and implemented by GSNE “Orchis” with the support of Georgian Ministries of Environment Protection & Agriculture, Finance, Regional Development & Infrastructure, Economy & Sustainable Development, and Education & Science.