© GWP Hungary
The 16th European Youth Parliament for Water (EYPW), was officially launched on October 20-26, 2024, in Szolnok and Budapest, Hungary, focusing on the theme of “Water and Biodiversity”. The event organised by Solidarity Water Europe (SWE) and hosted by Global Water Partnership (GWP) Hungary, aimed to empower European youth by fostering their understanding of the interconnectedness of water and biodiversity. The EYPW sought to cultivate youth involvement in the water sector at the European level and establish young people as key stakeholders.
The event provided a platform for debates, networking, and raising awareness about water issues while promoting the values of democracy, tolerance, solidarity, and critical thinking as the youth took a pledge to do so. Participants engaged in workshops, panel discussions, and field visits, exploring diverse perspectives on land use planning, environmental protection, public awareness, and sustainable management of water resources. The EYPW aimed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for water-related causes and implement tangible actions in their communities which was a success at the end of the program.
The program included expert presentations, interactive discussions with local actors, and capacity-building workshops. Field visits offered hands-on experience which included: the Tisza Lake, the Szolnok Water Exhibition, and the Flood Protection Training Center, illustrating the practical challenges and opportunities related to water and biodiversity.
The youth shared innovative projects or actions from their countries related to water and biodiversity protection. Through the presentation of the 1 Million Youth Action Challenge (1MYAC), the youth were encouraged to act in their community. The young people elected the president and vice presidents of the 16th EYPW.
Present at the event, Daniel Arwonga, a member of the Danube Youth Council representing Hungary, discussed with the participants about various ways of flood protection measures and contributed to the joint commitment in the section referring to nature-based solutions and sustainable water usage. He also informed the participants about how the Danube Youth Council contributes to achieving the goals of the Danube Region Strategy across all priority areas in the region.
The presentation of the youth pass of the Erasmus + program provided an opportunity to reflect on their learning outcomes from the week.
Finally, a joint commitment was drafted, adopted, and presented to the president of the general assembly of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County, Mr. Imre Hubai, at the closing session at the county hall in Szolnok.
The EYPW is connected to a broader youth movement coordinated by the International Secretariat for Water and SWE, with strong synergies at the global level with the World Youth Parliament for Water. This international collaboration underscored the importance of collective action in addressing critical water challenges and fostering sustainable water management practices.
The European Youth Parliament for Water serves as a platform for participatory democracy, bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds to collaboratively shape a shared vision and plan future actions. Their commitments will center on principles of tolerance, solidarity, and cooperation, empowering them to become catalysts for environmental change across Europe.
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