On 13 February 2026, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), in co-operation with the Centre for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Safety under Tajikistan's National Academy of Sciences, organized a one-day educational tour for schoolchildren to promote natural sciences and environmental awareness. The event brought together 50 students from grades 10-11 and their teachers from four districts of Dushanbe, as well as one school from Hisor.
Opening the tour, the Head of the Economic and Environmental Department of POiD, Karolyn Upham, highlighted the value of engaging young people in science and environmental learning. "At the OSCE, we believe that young people play a key role in shaping the future and that knowledge, science and responsibility are essential for building a safe and healthy society," she said.
The educational programme focused on the themes "Radiation Around Us: An Invisible Neighbour" and "The Impact of Ionizing Radiation on Living Organisms and Methods of Protection against Radiation Exposure." It introduced students to the mission, activities and technologies of the Regional CBRN Safety Centre, fostered interest in chemistry, biology, physics and related disciplines, and enhanced understanding of environmental and safety challenges. The tour also encouraged students to consider potential future career paths in the outlined field.
Participants took part in interactive scientific sessions, including demonstrations of chemical reactions, radiation measurements, and other hands-on activities. They also joined a guided laboratory tour led by CBRN specialists, providing practical insight into safety practices, monitoring techniques, and research applications.
This event aligns with POiD's broader mission to support Tajikistan in implementing Environmental Education Programmes and raising youth awareness of environmental protection and safety. It also contributes to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by fostering scientific literacy, environmental responsibility, and informed decision-making among the next generation.
