BUP Finland at Åbo Akademi

International Youth Forum - International Youth Forum

The fact of global warming is beyond the question now. The deficit of drinking water is one of the main impacts of the climate change. Lack of freshwater affects human health, agriculture and risks the possibility of water conflicts. In the view of exclusive importance that is played by water in life, each person is obliged to preserve global water resources and provide for their rational use. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the years 2005 to 2015 as the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life'. This decade gives a unique possibility to start actively working in this direction.

Global nature of the climate change and unreasonable water consumption dictates the necessity to search for solutions not only at global, but at national, regional and local levels. Governments, science, education and community have to co-operate. In this connection Chemical Faculty of Belarusian State University will host the International Youth Forum "Water, climate change and human health". The main objective of the Forum is to raise awareness of the young generation on the issues of climate change and its influence on water resources and human health. The participation of young people in the Forum is not fortuitous as their mission is to promote peace, humanism and sustainable development. Forum will have interdisciplinary approach.

Scientists, professors and students of various spheres of studies: biology, chemistry, geography, ecology, sustainable development, medicine, drinking water manufacturers and representatives of sanitary-and-hygienic services, ministries and public organizations are welcome to exchange and discuss their ideas and views.

Following questions will be discussed in the frame of the Forum:

Influence of climate change on ecosystems, pure water sources and human health,

Today’s state of surface and underground waters, biological mechanisms of water quality generation and autopurification processes, conformity of quality drinking and bottled waters to national and international standards, water treatment and safe water consumption technologies;

• Forecasts and strategy of actions on the way to sustainable development of the society;
• Global warming and its display in Belarus and other countries
• Cooperation between educational institutions on the issues of climate change and water problems;
• Proposals on cultivation of the training programs, advance qualification and retraining personnel;
• Prospects of international cooperation and joint educational projects.

Special attention will be devoted to water as one of the unique substance on Earth. The following points will be discussed:

• Structure and properties of water
• Water cycle in nature
• Water as a mineral resource
• Water and «green chemistry»
• Aqueous solutions in human life/p>
• Water as a food product
• Water in medicines, cosmetics and SPA-procedures
• Water as universal solvent
• Myths about water (live, dead, structured, energetically charged etc.)
• To drink or not to drink potable water
• Quality of water and modern methods of water purification
• What water will we leave to the descendants?

Three field trips will be held during the Forum: trip to the museum ”Water resources of Belarus”, Minsk water purification plant and the Scientific Research Institute for Physical and Chemical Problems where the new processes of drinking water production from ultra polluted sources will be demonstrated.

Forum Languages: Belarusian, Russian, English

Registration Feefor non-local participants is 50 Euro (publications, training materials, excursions, coffee-breaks, solemn buffet).

Participation for CEI countries representatives (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ukraine) will be free.