On October 14th, the 3rd All-Russian Children's Environmental Forum started in the assembly hall of South Ural State University, bringing together middle and high school students from 51 regions of our country.
Igor Gilev, Minister of Ecology of the Chelyabinsk Region, delivered a welcoming speech at the forum's opening ceremony:
"Thank you so much for choosing your path at such a young age. One that's connected to environment protection and, ultimately, the security of our country and its future. Today, you'll present your work here, share your experiences, and meet others. I feel confident you'll find new friends and like-minded people here – people with whom you'll be able to bring your ideas to life in the future."
Teams from each region will present several environmental projects that will incorporate science, social significance, and educational and patriotic components.
"Our university places great emphasis on environmental development. This includes waste recycling, digital environmental monitoring, and other important government and industrial issues related to ecology," said Alexander Wagner, Rector of South Ural State University, opening the forum. "The Chelyabinsk Region is stunningly beautiful, rich in natural resources and attractions: lakes, mountains, and forests. I am sure that after getting to know our university, city, and region, many will become interested in the South Ural region, and some will come here to study or connect their professional careers with Chelyabinsk."
Following the opening ceremony, a science-to-practice conference began, featuring presentations of individual projects by young participants. Then, it was time for teams from the regions to share their environmental ideas.
Day one of the forum will conclude with an open dialogue with experts and a cultural program.