Date: October 17, 2023
The webinar "Sustainable Lifestyles in Action", held within the framework of the project "Sustainable Lifestyles of Universities in Central Asia", turned out to be a real source of inspiration and new knowledge.
The webinar began with greetings from representatives of key organizations actively working to promote sustainable development. Head of the UNEP Subregional Office in Central Asia Aidai Kurmanova, Vice-President for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development of the Kazakh-German University Barbara Janusz-Pawletta and representative of the UNEP Sustainable Lifestyles Program Garrett Clark emphasized the importance of joint efforts in achieving environmental sustainability.
The main focus of the webinar was the "green nudges" initiative. Participants learned about the concept and practice of "green nudges", which are aimed at promoting sustainable environmental practices. Regional Coordinator of GO4SDG in Europe and Central Asia Madina Ibrasheva presented the “Little Book of Green Nudges”, providing useful recommendations.
Emily Stott, Coordinator of the Nature Positive Universities Network, shared information about the global network that unites more than 500 universities around the world. This network comprises a wide range of initiatives that collectively aim to promote biodiversity, sustainability and a deep connection with nature at universities. By sharing practical experience and real-life examples, Ms Stott provided invaluable insights into how universities can actively participate in and benefit from this global movement.
Ekaterina Gorshkova, a representative of the Kazakh-German University, provided a detailed overview of the project and its significance for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
As part of the practical training, a training session on sustainable living was held, which was an interactive exploration of sustainable development practices that universities can use. Participants learned about various aspects of water conservation, sustainable food production, responsible consumption and food waste reduction. Strategies for finding partners and networks to support these initiatives were also discussed.
The webinar also featured presentations from eco-organizations offering practical advice on creating "green offices" and the art of reducing and reusing products and materials. Yerasyl Ashimbay from “EcoNetwork” and Madina Rustemova from “Recycle Birge” shared their experiences.
The webinar “Sustainable Lifestyles in Action” became an important platform for exchanging experiences and knowledge in the field of sustainable development. The event demonstrated that joint efforts can lead to significant changes both locally and globally.
