“Are we living on this planet as if we had another one to go to?” – this was the main topic on the online discussion organized to mark Earth Day within the USAID Youth Ethnic Integration Project. More than 60 guests, among whom were students that are a part of the Idea Fusion Center and their peers, carefully followed the discussion via the platform Zoom.
In the beginning, three students from the Idea Fusion Center, Isra Osmani, Ljubina Bozinoska and Mevla Volina, delivered a short presentation on the meaning behind April 22 – Earth Day. They shared how we can all mark this day even during the pandemic.
Then, the notable eco-activists and ecologists, Irina Janevska, Arianit Dzaferi, Olga Rajchikj, Gorjan Jovanovski and Jeff Gage, who were panelists, shared their experiences with the guests. They talked about topics related to the activities that are undertaken to preserve the planet, inspiring and creative ideas for protecting the environment, but also current and upcoming challenges. To hear the voice of youth, two students – members of the Idea Fusion Center, Blendi Taraneshi and Lina Hristovska, had an opportunity to discuss the level of awareness of the students and citizens for protecting the environment as well as eco-initiatives that they were a part of.
In the end of the online event, the participants discussed with the panelists and exchanged opinions on trending topics connected to the preservation of the environment.
During the event, the USAID North Macedonia Country Representative, Erik Janowsky, spoke to the students, as well. He wished happy Earth Day to all guests and persuaded them to continue to actively take care of the environment. “I personally value your focus on the protection of the environment and encourage you to keep on investing your time and talent because there is no greater task than to make a long-lasting and meaningful impact on our mutual natural resources. We are all responsible for the contribution and each of us can make a change, no matter how small, to preserve and protect our planet.”
With increased motivation and excitement, the students talked about the power of social media in the fight against the pollution and shared good international practices. Through the event, the guests but foremost, the students increased and widened their knowledge. It is expected for the students to devotedly continue to contribute to a better and cleaner environment.
This activity is part of the Youth Ethnic Integration Project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of MCEC and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United States Government.
