The contest uses creative expression to increase awareness for conservation and environmental management topics among schoolchildren and students in the Dniester River basin. Participants were invited to join in person or virtually both in Moldova and Ukraine.
The key objectives of the contest include nurturing the environmental consciousness of children and youth, mobilizing the public to join environmental protection efforts in the basin, cultivating a sense of belonging, and recognizing the increasing importance of using water resources of the Dniester River in a sustainable manner. While both the means of creative expression and the background of the competitors might have differed, participants were united by their shared values: preserving the Dniester River and its valuable resources and ecosystem for present and future generations.
"The young generation represents our future. However, it is also the generation that will face the consequences of current actions and, more importantly, the cost of inaction," said Sylvie Goyet, Deputy Co-ordinator and Head of Environmental Activities at the Office of the Co-ordinator for OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA).
"It is our duty to contribute to awareness raising and capacity-building activities for young people, as well as enabling their participation in the decision-making processes," Goyet added, underscoring the significant link between youth and environmental issues.
Mariia Shpanchyk, Head of the Department of Water Resources Management at the Ukrainian State Agency of Water Resources, highlighted the connection between environmental issues and good neighbourly relations.
"An environmentally conscious future in partnership with friendly neighbours is of great importance to Ukrainians, including in the Dniester River basin," Shpanchyk said.
Furthermore, she underlined that "Ukraine and Moldova are jointly following the European path and developing a management plan for the Dniester River basin. This is a strategic document for achieving good water status. "
In the closure of the event, Mr. Petru Tataru, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova, announced the opening of the 15th edition of the "Colours of the Dniester" competition. "The transboundary art competition "Colors of the Dniester" is an event that aims to attract pupils, students and civil society in activities aimed at contributing to the protection of the entire basin of the Dniester River, its ecosystems and biodiversity". "The priority direction of the competition is focused on international cooperation and the participation of territorial communities in solving environmental problems. This year, the motto of the competition is: "With small steps - towards big changes", Tataru added.
The event is part of the long-term engagement of the OSCE in supporting transboundary water management between Moldova and Ukraine. It is driven by a successful collaboration between national and local authorities, educational institutions, civil society and the youth community. The event took place ahead of the celebration of the Dniester River Day, which will take place on 28 May, 2023.
