“The University of Warsaw is a place that not only conducts research and educates students to the highest standards, but also fosters a sense of responsibility for the world in which we live,” says Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector. On 26th May, the fourth edition of “Green Day at the University of Warsaw” took place. Participants had the opportunity to take part in lectures, workshops and a car boot sale.
“Green Day at the UW” is one of numerous university initiatives aimed at promoting eco-friendly solutions and climate protection. Its fourth edition took place on 26th May. The event was held in the building of the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies on the UW campus at Krakowskie Przedmieście.
The event was aimed at anyone interested in issues related to nature and environmental protection. Among the attendees were Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector; Prof. Ewa Krogulec, the UW Vice-Rector for Development; Prof. Sambor Grucza, the UW Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources; deans, students, doctoral candidates and employees of the UW; secondary school pupils; and residents of Warsaw.
On ecology at the UW
“Green Day at the UW” aims to promote environmental protection initiatives, showcase innovative eco-friendly solutions and raise environmental awareness within the wider community. It forms part of the “Smart Green University’ programme, which is the University of Warsaw’s response to the challenges posed by the climate and environmental crisis.
“The University of Warsaw is a place that not only conducts research and educates students to the highest standards, but also fosters a sense of responsibility for the world in which we live. Green Day at the UW is a space for discussing ecology, environmental protection and sustainable development, but also for fostering intellectual curiosity and jointly seeking solutions to the challenges of the future. Concern for the climate and a friendly environment should be an integral part of a modern university and an important element of the education of future generations. That is why we are delighted that so many young people – students and school pupils – are taking part in the event, as they want to discuss the future of the natural environment and consciously shape the world in which they will live,” said Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, as he opened the event.
“Green Day at the UW, held annually, demonstrates just how important it is to discuss nature conservation and our responsibility towards the planet. This initiative helps to raise awareness of environmental issues, but it also highlights the challenges we must face in order to protect the climate. The University of Warsaw not only conducts research in this field, but also proposes and develops best practices,” emphasised Prof. Ewa Krogulec, the UW Vice-Rector for Development and Chair of the “Smart Green University” Programme Council.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Katarzyna Kołodziejczyk, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, and Prof. Rafał Godoń, Dean of the Faculty of Education, who in their speeches encouraged the development of academic passions and studying at the UW, as well as Prof. Agata Dziewulska, the Rector’s Plenipotentiary for the Green Dialogue Platform, who presented some of the academic publications issued by the UW, addressing pro-environmental and pro-ecological issues from various perspectives.
Lectures and workshops
This year, as in previous years, participants were able to take part in a variety of activities, including lectures given by:
- Dr Anna Batorczak from the University Centre for Research on the Natural Environment and Sustainable Development: “Recovery: practices and trends for sustainable development”;
- Dr Maksym Łaszewski from the Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies: “Why a natural river is better than a regulated one”;
- Dr Monika Mętrak from the Faculty of Biology: “Nature conservation 2050: better, worse, or different?”;
- Dr Jakub Rok from the Centre for European Regional and Local Studies (EUROREG UW): “Environmental (in)justice. Who bears the costs of the climate and ecological crisis?”.
An important part of “Green Day at the UW” was the partners’ zone, where UW units and event partners presented their initiatives, including the Mazurian Centre for Biodiversity and Education “KUMAK” of the UW’s Faculty of Biology in Urwitałt, the Open University UW and the UW Students’ Council.
In addition to the lectures and activities organised in the partners’ zone, participants were able to take part in workshops on creating plant arrangements in jars, workshops on making eco-friendly household cleaning products, and a garage sale where exhibitors were selling decorations and clothing.
The event was organised by the team behind the “Smart Green University” programme, whose aims include making the university’s spaces and infrastructure more accessible and welcoming to the academic community (including people with disabilities) and more environmentally friendly. Promoting climate protection initiatives is also a key aspect of the programme.
The video of the event can be viewed on the UW’s YouTube channel.
