Since its birth in America in 1970, 22th April is Earth Day all around the globe. Promoting the power of collective action, the affiliated movements call upon all those who wish to put an end to destruction and save our planet. This year, the University of Szeged decided to join in the call and organize different programs for those who would like to join the combat. Many of the faculties and affiliated groups decided to contribute to their communities.
One of them was the administrative staff of the University who took off to pick litter around University buildings in the city centre as part of a national litter picking operation (TeSzedd! – Pick it Up!). Despite the cold, the staff spent 2 hours canvassing and cleaning the neighbourhood. They mostly collected cigarette butts, PET bottles, soda cans and plastic bags.
Another group who took matters into their own hands was relatively younger – the pupils of the Univesity of Szeged’s Elementary Training School and Primary School of Arts. The young ones attended an open-air class where they learned about the importance of environmental protection. Then they planted seeds in the schoolyard, and built and installed bug hotels for our tiny neighbours.
Besides, just to mention a few additional programs, students could try an interactive adventure trail at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, watch a movie about carnivorous plants at the Faculty of Science and Informatics, and attend a conference on environmental law – international and EU as well – at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. In the University of Szeged’s Zsuzsanna Kossuth School of Technical and Vocational Training, there was an exhibition of the photos submitted to the Earth Day photo contest.
But why would workers and students use their precious time to participate at such events? One of the volunteers said that the reason for her to join was to take matters into her own hands and to provide an example to younger generations, to children, to do the same.
Imre Vida-Szűcs is Deputy Head of the Office for Press Affairs (Directorate of International and Press Relations) at the University of Szeged.